Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/moodysankeyautheOOread 


AN  AUTHENTIC  ACCOUNT 

OF  THEIR 


Lives  and  Services. 


BY 

FRANK   S.  READER. 


KEW  YORK: 

E,  J.  HALE  &  SOIST,  PUBLISHEES, 

Murray  Street. 
1  8  7  6. 


Copyrighted  1876, 

BY 

Frank  S.  Reader. 


PREFACE. 


The  object  in  writing  this  book  is  to  present  in  a 
condensed,  yet  complete  form,  a  record  of  the  two 
American  Evangelists  whose  names  have  become 
household  words  in  every  christian  home  in  our  land. 
By  condensing  the  work,  it  is  put  in  such  form  as  to  be 
had  at  a  reasonable  cost,  and  yet  preserve  its  complete- 
ness and  correctness. 

The  sketch  of  Mr.  Moody  is  made  up  from  accounts 
received  from  his  personal  friends,  which  insures  its 
reliability.  Though  condensed  in  size,  all  the  particu- 
lars of  his  life  that  show  his  character  and  power  are 
given  in  as  much  detail  as  is  necessary  for  a  proper 
history  of  the  man  and  his  success  in  his  work. 

The  author,  having  enjoyed  a  long  personal  acquaint- 
ance and  intimate  friendship  with  Mr.  Sankey,  is  pecu- 
liarly qualified  to  give  a  full,  complete  and  correct 
record  of  his  life.  It  is  the  only  correct  biographical 
sketch  of  the  great  Singing  Evangelist  that  has  ever 
been  published  in  any  form,  and  it  is  confidently  be- 
lieved that  those  who  desire  to  know  something  of  the 
sweet  singer  who  has  charmed  so  many  thousands  will 
find  in  this  Work  a  fair,  full  account  of  his  life  and  his 
life  work. 

The  record  of  their  work  in  Great  Britain  and 
America  has  been  made  up  from  reliable  sources,  and 
is  believed  to  be  a  complete  narrative  of  their  astonish- 
ing work  and  success. 


8 


PREFACE. 


Neither  Mr.  Moody  nor  Mr.  Sankey  is,  in  any  sense, 
responsible  for  this  work  nor  pecuniarily  interested  in 
it.  Both  are  averse  to  notoriety,  and  would  prefer  that 
no  books  be  written  about  them  ;  but,  as  such  books 
have  been  written,  the  author  deems  it  a  matter  of  jus- 
tice that  one  more  should  be  added  to  the  number  in 
order  that  the  lives  and  work  of  both  may  be  equally 
given  in  full. 

The  author  takes  this  occasion  to  return  thanks  to 
those  who  have  so  efficiently  aided  him  in  preparing 
the  matter  for  this  volume,  and  he  earnestly  trusts  that 
their  united  labors  may  be  instrumental  in  leading  all 
our  countrymen  to  take  a  deeper  interest  in  the  great 
work  of  which  "  Moody  and  Sankey  "  are  such  able 
representatives. 

Fkank  S.  Eeadee. 
New  Brighton^  Pa.^  January  31,  1876. 


"  Cemetery  Hill,  West  New  Castle,  Pa. 

February  10th,  1876. 
Messrs.  E.  J.  Hale  &  Son,  New  York. 

Gentlemen :  Your  favor  of  the  5th  inst.  is  before  me, 
in  which  you  request  me  to  write  you  what  I  know  about 
the  familiarity  of  Mr.  F.  S.  Reader,  of  New  Brighton,  Fa., 
with  my  son,  Ira  D.,  and  consequent  capability  of  narra- 
ting his  life  ;  to  which  I  reply,  that  I  know  them  to  have 
been  very  intimate  friends  and  companions  while  together 
for  a  long  time  as  clerks  in  my  office,  and  remained  so 
until  they  left  this  vicinity,  and  I  believe  they  still  remain 
special  friends  ;  and  I  know  of  no  one,  outside  our  family, 
who  has  had  better  opportunities  of  becoming  acquainted 
with  the  personal  history  of  my  son  than  Mr.  Reader. 
Very  respectfully  yours, 

David  Sankey." 


CONTENTS. 


D.    L.  MOODY. 

Page 

Chapter  I. — His  Early  Life — Leaves  Home — Life  in  Boston — 
Chicago — Mission  Work — "  North  Market  Mis- 
sion S.  S."  11 

IL — Difficulties   with   Roughs  —  Joins  "  Young  Men's 
Christian    Association  "  —  His  Trust  in   God — 
War  of  the  Rebellion  "  —  Work   among  the 
Soldiers — Marriage — Building  a  Chapel — Organi- 
zation of  Church — Building  Hall  of  Young  Men's 

Christian  Association,  20 

111. — Burned  Out — In  the  "  Tabernacle  " — Dealing  out 
Supplies — Sunday  School  Conventions — Study  of 
the  Bible — Bible  Readings — Out-Door  Meetings — 
Elements  of  his  Success,  32 


li^A  D.  SAN  KEY. 

Chapter  IY. — His  Early  Life — Early  Taste  for  Music — Character 
in  Early  Life  —  Conversion  —  Removal  to  New- 
Castle — Educational  Advantages — Services  in  the 
War  of  the  "  Great  Rebellion,"  -  -  -  -  43 
'*  Y. — In  "  Civil  Service  " — Marriage — Work  in  Sunday 
School,  Church,  &c.  —  Superintendent  —  Class 
Leader  Choir  Leader  —  Joins  "  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association — Meets  Mr.  Moody,  -  -  54 
YI. — Evangelistic  Work — Joins  Mr.  Moody — Burned  Out 
—  In  the  "Tabernacle" — "Evenings  of  Sacred 
Song  "—Offer  of  Phillip  Phillips— Solo  Singing- 
Effect  of  his  Singing — "  The  Ninety  and  Nine  " — 
Instances  of  Power  of  Singing,    -       -       -       -  64 


10 


CONTENTS. 


:f>^i=lt  it. 


Page 

Chapter  I. — In  England,    -      -       -       -             -      -       -  81 

SCOTLAND. 

"       II.— Edinburgh,  95 

"     III. — Dundee  and  Glasgow,   105 

"     lY.— Other  Points  in  Scotland,   122 

IRELAND. 

"       Y. — Belfast  and  Londonderry,       -       -       -       -       -  150 

"     YL— Dublin,  ^       ^       -  160 

ENGLAND. 

"    YIL— Manchester,  -       -  110 

YIIL— Sheffield  and  Birmingham,   180 

*'     IX.— Liverpool,  -  192 

"       X.— London,   202 

"      XI. — London,  continued,   218 

XII. — Return  to  America;  Northfield,  Brooklyn  and  Phila- 
delphia,   234 


D.  L.  MOODY. 


CHAPTEE  I. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Dwight  Lyman  Moody, 
was  bom  on  the  5th  of  February,  1837,  in  an  okl  house 
on  a  farm  near  Northfield,  Massachusetts.  The  old 
homestead  was  located  on  the  side  of  the  mountain,  in 
one  of  the  most  delightful  spots  in  all  that  region  of 
picturesque  and  pleasing  scenery.  Dwight  was  left 
fatherless  when  ho  was  only  about  four  years  of  age, 
his  mother  being  the  only  stay  of  a  large  family. 

As  might  naturally  be  sux)posed,  his  boyhood  life 
from  this  time  Avas  one  of  extreme  rigors  and  hard- 
ships, just  the  kind  fitted  to  mould  the  perfect  man, 
from  a  boy  full  of  the  iove  of  sport,  and  ambitious  to 
be  something.  His  mother  was  a  representative  New 
England  woman — ready  to  take  hold  of  any  duties  be- 
fore her  ;  and  with  sufficient  spirit  and  energy  to  fully 
qualify  her  for  the  task  of  rearing  properly  her  family. 
In  her  religion,  she  was,  and  is  yet,  a  Unitarian,  and 
of  the  most  faithful  of  religionists,  in  early  leading  her 
little  brood  to  trust  in  the  Providence  which  she  be- 
lieved ordered  all  things  for  the  best. 

She  had  a  powerful  influence  over  Dwight,  and  was 
the  only  person  who  could  induce  him  to  do  what  he 
was  not  desirous  of  doing  5  and  it  was  doubtless 
her  never  faltering  love  for  him,  her  x^^'^ycrful  in- 
terest in  his  behalf,  and  her  anxious  solicitude  that 
he  might  go  forth  into  the  world  in  every  sense  fitted 
for  its  manifold  duties,  that  prevented  him  from  fall- 


12 


MOODY  AIND  SANKEY. 


ing  into  excesses^  and  gave  the  world  such  a  noble 
Christian  teacher. 

It  is  not  possible  to  give  the  readers  of  this  work 
incidents  of  the  precociousness  of  the  boy  Dwight, 
that  early  marked  him  as  a  promising  youth,  unless  it 
be  from  his  pranks  of  mischief  and  insatiable  love  of 
boyish  sports  and  tricks :  but  we  have  to  present  to 
them  an  ordinary  boy,  so  full  of  animal  life,  that  the 
only  future  which  seemed  in  store  for  him  was  to  labor 
with  muscle,  and  be  the  pride  of  his  village  for  native 
strength  and  activity. 

He  was  always  a  leader.  Among  the  boys  with 
whom  he  grew  up,  he  naturally  took  the  lead,  and 
they  would  all  gracefully  fall  in  line  and  obey  his 
commands.  Thus  far,  one  able  to  read  human  charac- 
ter might  have  seen  in  him  the  embryo  general,  so 
far  as  spirit  and  force,  combined  with  leadership,  were 
requisite  for  such  a  calling. 

He  would  not  improve  his  mind,  for  the  reason  that 
he  had  no  love  for  that  kind  of  work.  The  result  was, 
he  received  but  little  schooling,  not  even  having 
become  a  graduate  of  the  '-^  People's  College."  ^To 
part  of  his  present  great  success  is  attributable  to  the 
study  of  books,  or  the  refinement  of  learning,  but  in 
great  part  to  his  inherent  genius  for  leadership  and 
labor,  and  an  earnest  impulsiveness  to  do  good. 

He  was  not  naturally  of  a  religious  turn,  but  his 
mother  did  all  she  could-,  with  the  best  light  she  had, 
to  give  him  religious  training.  As  soon  as  he  was  old 
enough,  he  was  sent  to  the  Unitarian  Church,  and  was 
there  trained  and  taught  according  to  their  faith. 
Very  little  impression  was  made  upon  him,  however, 
and  afterward,  when  he  entered  upon  life  in  the  great 
world  before  and  about  him,  he  was  in  good  condition 
to  be  influenced  by  whatever  might  seem  to  him  the 


DY;iaHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


13 


best  way.  Doubtless  the  prayers  of  bis  mother  had  a 
restraiiiing  influence^  but  the  truths  and  principles  of 
the  Christian  religion  had  found  no  place  in  his  mind, 
so  that  he  was  free  to  adopt  whatever  course  he  chose 
under  the  inHuences  about  him.  He  relied  upon  no 
one  but  himself.  He  had  no  fears  about  his  ability  to 
do  w^hatever  he  wished  to  do,  hence  nothing  daunted 
him.  With  this  indomitable  spirit  applied  to  study, 
he  would  have  distanced  all  in  his  classes  at  school; 
would  have  been  a  leading  sj^irit  in  all  literary  ven- 
tures and  entertainments ;  but  there  was  too  much 
fun  and  frolic  in  his  constitution  to  admit  of  the  irk- 
someness  of  study,  and  close  attention  to  similar 
duties. 

The  time  came  in  his  life,  as  it  does  in  that  of  most 
boys,  w^hen  he  made  up  his  mind  that  there  was  not 
room  enough  in  his  ]iative  town  for  him,  and  that  he 
must  go  out  into  the  great  world  and  seek  his  fortune. 
In  the  spring  of  1854  he  left  his  home,  conscious  of  his 
own  powers  to  get  along  ;  and  full  of  self  reliance  and 
pluck,  plunged  boldly  into  the  great  unknown  before 
him.  He  was  not  long  in  finding  his  way  to  Boston — 
the  pride  of  'Eew  England,  and  the  wonder  and  admi- 
ration of  its  youth.  In  this  city  he  found  employment 
in  a  boot  and  shoe  store  belonging  to  his  uncle,  a  man 
of  Strict  integrity  and  Christian  character,  and  just 
the  man  needed  to  hold  in  check  the  wild  youth  who 
had  found  a  place  with  him.  Here  Dwight  displayed 
the  same  energy  and  force  of  character,  that  had  dis- 
tinguished him  as  a  leader  among  the  boys.  He  was 
always  on  business.  IN^othing  could  divert  him  from 
the  one  grand  object  now  before  him,  to  prove  himself 
capable  and  trustworthy  in  the  position  given  him  by 
his  uncle.  His  lack  of  learning  and  refinement  was 
much  in  his  way  to  gain  him  ready  access  to  the  hearts 


14 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


and  good  will  of  liis  associates.  But  this  lack  was 
largely  in  his  favor  in  the  end.  Feeling  his  inferiority, 
and  i3ainfully  conscious  of  his  want  of  education,  lie 
was  rendered  unhappy  at  times,  but  never  lost  heart. 
He  was  attentive  to  the  minutest  details  of  his  busi- 
ness duties.  He  was  quick-witted,  and  his  fellow 
clerks  soon  learned  that  they  had  a  match  in  the  un- 
couth country  boy,  and  that  it  was  only  a  matter  of 
time  until  he  would  outstrip  them  all,  unless  they  were 
more'vigilant  and  attentive.  Like  many  another  boy 
accustomed  only  to  hard  knocks  and  the  sorest  priva- 
tions, he  had  imbibed  the  notion  that  this  life  was  an 
unceasing  warfare  in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  term, 
and  if  he  desired  to  succeed,  he  must  overcome  all 
opposition,  and  be  master  of  the  field.  This  was  up- 
permost in  his  plays  with  his  schoolmates,  and  it  was 
not  to  be  wondered  at  that  he  should  carry  the  same 
spirit  into  every  transaction  of  life. 

He  was  a  regular  attendant  at  a  Congregational 
church,  where  he  fell  into  good  hands.  The  pastor  of 
the  church  was  an  excellent  man,  and  his  ministrations 
produced  a  deep  and  profound  influence  upon  the 
heart  of  the  boy.  It  was  not  a  great  While  until  the 
spirit  of  God  found  its  way  to  his  heart,  by  which  he 
was  convinced  that  he  was  in  need  of  something  he 
did  not  x>ossess,  to  give  him  peace  and  happiness.  He 
was  rendered  very  uncomfortable  5  but  here,  as  in  other 
things,  his  sturdiness  of  character,  and  indomitable 
will,  led  him  to  face  his  tormentor,  and  find  out  what 
it  all  meant.  He  took  more  interest  in  the  Sunday 
School,  and  j^aid  closer  attention  to  the  exercises  of  this 
hour  of  service.  He  was  not  long  in  finding  himself 
curious  about  the  strange  things  that  the  Bible  taught, 
and  he  began  to  ask  questions  in  his  abrupt  and  origi- 
nal way. 


DWiaHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


15 


He  had  a  most  excellent  teacher — one  of  those  men 
who  seem  to  take  a  special  interest  in  every  member 
of  his  class,  and  especially  in  one  who  may  seem  to 
be  friendless  and  alone.  He  took  a  deep  interest  in 
D  wight  J  and  was  glad  to  use  every  opportunity  to 
instruct  him,  and  show  that  he  was  interested  in  him. 
But  one  effect  could  follow  such  action  as  this  toward 
such  a  character,  and  the  boy  became  very  fond  of  his 
teacher,  whom  he  regarded  as  a  true  friend,  and  in 
Avhose  judgment  and  character  he  had  the  utmost 
confidence. 

With  the  kindly  aid  of  his  teacher,  he  put  his  whole 
heart  into  the  work  of  seeking  the  Saviour,  and  it  was 
not  long  until  he  was  satisfied  that  God  had  pardoned 
all  his  sins,  and  that  he  was  free.  He  entered  upon 
his  religious  work  as  he  sold  boots  in  his  uncle's  store 
— he  looked  upon  it  as  a  business  that  must  be  attended 
to,  and  consequently  gave  it  the  needed  attention.  He 
was  fully  determined  to  go  forward  and  perfect  the 
work  commenced  in  him,  and  it  was  never  known  that 
he  faltered  for  a  moment  in  liis  efforts  to  arrive  at  a 
perfect  Christian  manhood.  In  the  spring  of  1855  he 
was  taken  into  the  church  in  which  he  had  been  con- 
verted, and  became  one  of  its  most  useful  and  active 
workers  while  he  remained  in  the  city  of  Boston. 

In  the  autumn  of  1855  he  left  Boston  and  its  cultured 
life  to  go  into  business  in  the  great  city  of  the  Jl^s'orth- 
west,  Chicago,  where  there  was  a  constant  demand  for 
such  men  as  he.  He  obtained  a  situation  in  a  boot 
and  shoe  store,  and  set  himself  to  gain  a  fortune,  which, 
in  his  boyish  dreams,  was  the  ultimate  point  of  happi- 
ness in  human  life.  He  was  determined  to  succeed,  and 
he  bent  every  energy  in  Chicago  to  win  favor  with  his 
employer  and  to  gain  customers.  During  his  three  or 
four  years  connection  with  business  in  this  city  he  fully 


16 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


developed  the  power  and  genius  that  were  in  him.  He 
was  economical  in  his  personal  expenses,  and  very  pre- 
cise and  correct  in  his  habits.  He  spent  no  money  in 
anj  way  that  would  not  make  a  good  return  of  some 
kind.  While  other  clerks  and  business  men  exi)ended 
their  incomes,  wholly  or  in  part,  in  theatres  and  fast 
life  generally,  he  abstained  from  everything  of  the 
kind.  This  was  not  done  from  economy  alone,  how- 
ever, but  as  well  from  a  belief  that  everything  that 
w^as  wasting  in  time,  means,  or  mind,  was  in  itself 
harmful,  and  should  be  scrupulously  avoided. 

He  was  not  an  ascetic  either.  While  he  was  heartily 
oi)posed  to  all  amusements  or  employments  that  were 
not  of  an  ennobling  character,  he  was  thoroughly  in 
sympathy  with  such  as  were  innocent,  and  at  the  same 
time  boisterous  and  diverting.  He  cannot  be  classed 
as  an  ascetic  in  any  sense,  unless  it  be  in  his  seclusion 
from  sin,  with  which  he  will  have  no  comi^anionship 
whatever.  His  prime  reason  for  his  strict  habits  of 
economy  was,  that  he  was  very  anxious  to  gain  a  for- 
tune 5  and  there  were  few  clerks  in  all  that  enterpiising 
city  who  had  a  better  prospect  before  them  for  gaining 
such  an  end.  His  employers  all  liked  him,  and  with 
good  reason.  His  sales  were  always  large,  and  had 
much  to  do  with  placing  a  good  credit  to  the  employers' 
bank  account.  He  detested  lounging  around  doing 
nothing,  but  must  be  at  work.  Unlike  the  traditional 
man  of  trade,  he  never  waited  for  something  to  turn  up, 
but  went  actively  to  work  to  do  the  turning  up  himself. 

During  his  stay  in  the  business  houses  of  Chicago 
he  spent  some  time  in  improving  his  mind.  Kot  so 
much  in  the  acquirement  of  literary  attainments  as  in 
the  discii^lining  of  his  mind  to  patient  work,  and  in 
speaking.  At  school  he  was  quite  ready  in  declamation, 
and  it  was  about  the  only  thing  he  did  learn  in  his  boy- 


DWiaHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


17 


hood  days.  He  was  fond  of  discussion  on  theological 
questions,  and  was  as  apt  in  handling  his  arguments  as 
many  men  of  maturer  years.  By  means  of  these  dis- 
cussions with  his  fellow  clerks  he  was  brightened  up 
considerably,  and  received  some  preparation  for  the 
work  of  his  after  life.  He  seemed'to  have  much  better 
success  in  these  exercises  than  in  his  church  speaking, 
which  did  not  always  meet  with  favor.  The  older 
brethren  were  not  anxious  to  be  urged  to  a  closer  per- 
formance of  their  duties  by  a  youth  like  Moody. 

The  time  had  now  come  in  his  history  when  the 
whole  aim  of  his  life  was  changed.  Immediately  upon 
his  arrival  in  Chicago  he  connected  himself  with  a 
church,  and  went  to  work.  He  was  incessant  in  his 
efforts  to  induce  the  young  to  attend  the  church,  and 
set  himself  to  missionary  work  in  good  earnest.  He 
brought  many  young  men  with  him  to  the  church  to 
which  he  belonged.  His  labors  in  this  direction  were 
blessed,  but  he  did  not  receive  the  encouragement 
from  his  brethren  that  he  deserved.  Kot  that  they 
disapproved  his  work  in  the  least,  but  there  was  so 
much  "  Young  America''  about  him,  that  they  could 
not  brook  his  forwardness  in  everything. 

He  became  interested  in  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association,"  and  from  the  first  took  an  active 
part  in  their  proceedings.  He  was  soon  engaged  to 
look  after  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  Association,  and 
he  took  so  deep  an  interest  in  the  work  that  he  used 
to  sweep  out  the  rooms  and  keep  all  things  in  order. 
For  many  months,  while  a  single  man,  he  slept  in  the 
rooms,  and  after  doing  the  manual  labor  about  the 
Association,  he  would  very  often  lead  the  noon-day 
prayer-meeting.  It  was  not  long  until  the  fact  of 
young  Moody's  being  present  at  the  meetings  drew 
large  crowds  to  the  service. 


18 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


About  this  time  he  went  over  into  the  north  side  of 
the  city,  and  started  a  little  Sunday-school  among  the 
very  i:)oorest  and  worst  class  of  society  in  that  then 
neglected  part  of  the  city.  He  went  to  work  with 
great  earnestness,  and  soon  had  a  crowd  of  dirty, 
ragged  urchins  at  his  heels,  far  from  being  pleasant 
to  look  upon  or  deal  with.  Somehow  he  could  not  ob- 
serve the  rags  and  filth  that  covered  the  abandoned 
little  fellows,  but  looked  beyond  the  covering  and  sur- 
roundings, and  saw  the  souls  that  might  be  saved ; 
and  he  was  just  as  earnest  to  save  them  as  though 
they  had  been  clothed  in  the  finest  of  garments.  He 
was  not  without  friends  in  this  noble  work,  and  while 
there  were  but  few  to  imitate  him,  there  were  many  to 
applaud  and  encourage. 

It  was  not  long  until  the  labors  of  Moody  brought 
forth  the  famous  ^^]!^^^orth  Market  Mission  Sunday- 
School,''  one  of  the  marvellous  things  of  the  age.  He 
took  possession  of  an  old  beer  saloon,  located  right  in 
the  midst  of  a  perfect  pandemonium,  surrounded  by 
other  saloons  in  full  blast ;  desperate  men,  abandoned 
women,  filth,  and  everything  conceivable  that  was 
vile.  One  sight  of  it  was  sufficient  to  drive  the  cour- 
age from  almost  any  man ;  but  this  moral  hero  was 
right  in  his  element  when  he  could  go  out  among  the 
little  ragamuffins  of  this  iniquitous  place  and  induce 
them  to  attend  his  school. 

He  would  sweep  the  saloon  out  on  the  Saturday 
evenings,  and  gather  the  children  in  on  Sundays,  and 
teach  them  the  best  he  could  about^'the  way  of  life. 
But  with  those  rude  boys  and  girls  he  had  his  patience 
and  courage  tried  to  the  utmost.  Unfortunately  for 
him.  he  could  not  sing,  nor  to  this  day  can  he  sing  a 
single  line  of  the  hymns  which  have  always  been  so 
dear  to  him  in  his  work.    He  would  get  some  one  to 


DWiaHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


19 


sing  for  the  children,  and  then  he  would  talk  to  them 
until  they  became  so  noisy  that  he  could  not  go  on ; 
then  he  would  give  out  a  hymn.  While  it  was  being 
sung  he  would  pass  around  through  the  school  regu- 
lating affairs,  and  correcting  some  of  the  most  unruly. 

On  one  occasion  there  was  a  very  bad  boy,  who 
would  come  to  the  door  of  the  saloon,  and  make  a  fear- 
ful noise  while  Moody  would  be  addressing  his  young 
auditors.  Getting  tired  of  it,  he  stopped  short  in  his 
work,  gave  out  a.  hymn,  and  while  the  school  was  sing- 
ing it  he  went  on  the  hunt  of  that  disturbing  boy, 
ran  him  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  caught  him,  and 
gave  him  a  cowhiding,  after  which  he  ran  back  and 
got  into  the  meeting  just  as  the  last  verse  Vv  as  being 
sung,  j)uffing  and  blowing,  but  in  time  to  go  on  with 
his  discourse. 

An  account  was  given  in  one  of  the  papers  of  a 
night's  scene  in  this  school,  on  one  occasion,  that 
places  this  man  in  his  true  character  before  the  world. 
A  visitor  found  him  standing  up  with  a  negro  boy, 
whom  he  was  teaching  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son. 
For  a  light  he  was  using  tallow  candles,  and  though 
he  was  not  very  well  qualified  to  teach  others,  yet 
there  he  stood,  with  a  message  from  God  to  that  poor, 
neglected  negro  boy,  and  was  doing  his  best  to  teach 
him  about  a  Saviour,  whose  redeeming  love  was  ex- 
tended even  to  him.  The  visitor  was  surprised  at  the 
scene,  when  Moody  burst  out  with,  I  have  no  educa- 
tion, but  I  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  I  want  to 
do  something  for  him 

From  this  hovel  his  school  was  removed  to  the  North 
Market  Hall.  At  first  there  were  but  few  workers  in 
the  school,  but  it  was  not  long  until  more  came  to  it, 
when  it  was  seen  that  it  was  an  assured  success,  and 
the  school  soon  increased  to  200  members ;  and  within 


20 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


a  year  from  its  commencement  the  attendance  wouM 
sometimes  be  as  great  as  1^000.  To  collect  together 
this  multitude  of  children  it  was  necessary  that  the 
work  should  be  unremittingly  kept  up^  and  every  nook 
and  corner  be  visited  and  thoroughly  canvassed. 

The  school  had  now  become  famous,  and  men  had 
learned  what  Moody  was  fit  for.  His  rough  manners, 
unpolished  speech,  and  abruptness,  were  overlooked 
in  the  zealous  and  successful  missionary,  whose  work 
was  a  success  from  the  beginning  to  the  end.  His 
whole  aim  was  to  convert  these  rough,  desperate 
children,  and  make  good  citizens  of  them.  He  knew 
no  limit  to  the  growth  of  an  individual  in  worth,  were 
he  but  converted  to  Grod,  and  given  right  views  of  the 
duties  of  life. 

He  also  established  a  prayer  meeting  in  connection 
with  his  work,  where  the  people  might  have  the  sym- 
pathy and  prayers  of  Christian  people.  In  this  he 
achieved  great  success.  To  be  sure,  he  was  not  pol- 
islied,  as  the  world  has  it,  but  he  was  full  of  the  Spirit 
of  God,  and  as  impetuous  and  zealous  in  his  sacred 
work  as  the  most  rigid  churchman  could  desire.  At 
this  prayer  meeting  many  were  the  souls  that  were 
converted  to  God,  and  led  into  a  life  that  was  new  to 
them.  The  simj)le  faith  that  Moody  taught  them 
reached  their  cases  precisely,  and  they  accepted  it  as 
the  direct  message  from  God,  for  their  special  use  and 
to  meet  their  particular  wants. 


OH  APTB  R  II. 

The  excellent  work  of  Mr.  Moody,  in  his  Sunday 
school  and  prayer  meeting,  was  not  confined  to  attract- 
ing a  few  rough  boys  and  men  to  the  meetings,  but  it 


BWieHT  LYJMAN  MOODY. 


21 


extended  further  and  took  a  deeper  hold.  He  never 
met  a  person  who  was  so  low  and  degraded  that  he 
would  not  attempt  to  save  him.  His  work  in  saving 
girls  from  lives  of  shame  will  give  him  a  crown  of  last- 
ing glory  and  immortality,  had  he  done  nothing  more. 
He  had  in  his  school  the  daughters  of  prostitutes, 
many  of  whom  he  rescued  from  the  fearful  life  to  w^hich 
they  seemed  doomed,  and  placed  them  where  they 
became  good  and  respectable  women. 

In  this  connection  we  give  the  testimony  of  an  emi- 
nent ijhysician  in  the  "West  to  Mr.  Moody's  work 
among  these  women.  The  physician  once  expressed 
his  dislike  of  Moody  in  very  strong  terms.  A  few 
weeks  afterwards  he  said:  ^'I  once  expressed  my 
dislike  of  Mr.  Moody.  I  now  wish  to  say  that  I  have 
greatly  changed  my  opinion.''  Upon  being  asked  why 
he  changed  his  views,  he  remarked :  I  was  called  in 
to  see  a  dying  woman  who  had  led  an  abandoned  life. 
She  handed  me  lier  watch,  jewelry,  and  other  property, 
and  requested  me  to  send  them  to  her  daughter  in  a 
distant  place.  She  died,  and  I  wr6te  to  her  daughter, 
who  called  to  see  me  and  received  the  articles.  I 
found  her  to  be  very  respectable  and  lady-like,  and  I 
asked  her  how  she  escaped  a  life  of  shame.  She  replied, 
'  When  I  was  a  little  girl  we  lived  over  on  the  E"orth 
Side.  I  attended  Mr.  Moody's  Sabbath  school,  and  he 
frequently  came  to  see  my  mother,  and  begged  her  to 
send  me  away  to  a  place  of  safety.  His  earnest  en- 
treaties prevailed ;  I  was  sent  away,  and  I  owe  every- 
thing to  him.'  "  The  physician  added  :  "  This  man 
must  be  a  Christian,  aud  I  was  wrong  in  my  opinion 
of  him." 

The  interruptions  to  his  school  were  many.  It  was 
often  more  Jike  a  bedlam  than  a  place  of  Christian 
service,  but  it  could  not  be  expected  otherwise.  Some 


22 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


of  the  roughest  characters  in  the  city  of  Chicago  at- 
tended the  school  at  times^  and  to  discipline  them 
and  keep  them,  in  order  was  not  an  easy  matter.  It 
was  a  common  thing  for  these  little  street  ruffians  to 
carry  their  every-day  life  manners  into  the  school,  and 
to  refined  senses  their  actions  were  sometimes  most 
shocking.  But  as  Mr.  Moody  was  not  conducting  a 
school  to  teach  manners,  but  to  teach  religion  and 
morals,  he  was  not  much  affected  by  their  x)ranks  and 
antics. 

Even  the  roughs  occasionally  made  raids  on  him  and 
his  school.  Great,  stalwart  fellows,  with  evil  in  ten  t, 
would  openly  boast  of  their  intention  to  whip  him,  but 
somehow  their  designs  were  never  carried  out.  He 
generally  overcame  them  by  his  kindness  and  gentle- 
ness. But  all  the  annoyances  and  hindrances  he 
looked  upon  as  mere  trifles,  compared  with  the  great 
work  which  he  was  called  to  perform,  aud  they  affected 
him  but  little.*  They  ceased  after  a  while,  and  the 
meetings  became  quite  respectable  resorts ;  nnd  when 
cultivated  Christian  people  began  to  attend  them,  and 
place  themselves  under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Moody,  a 
new  turn  was  given  to  matters,  and  the  work  became 
more  agreeable. 

Directly  after  he  had  become  fully  engaged  in  the 
work  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  he 
concluded  to  give  up  all  business  and  devote  liimself 
to  his  mission/'  literally  cutting  himself  loose  from 
the  world.  Eev.  Wm.  McCaw,  in  the  "  Times  of  Bless- 
ing,'' says  on  this  subject : 

Hitherto  he  has  been  devoting  his  evenings,  an 
occasional  entire  day,  and  the  whole  of  the  Sabbath, 
to  Christian  work;  but  about  this  time  he  meets  a 
Christian  friend,  and  says,  ^  I  have  decided  henceforth 
to  give  God  all  my  time  J    ^  And  how  will  you  live  f 


DWiaHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


23 


'God  will  provide  if  He  wishes  me  to  keep  ou;  and  I 
shall  keep  on  until  I  am  obliged  to  stop.'  That  reso- 
lution has  been  faithfully  carried  out ;  and  from  that 
time  till  this^  though  constantly  engaged  in  every 
accessible  department  of  Christian  service,  he  has 
never  been  in  the  receipt  of  a  salary  from  any  society 
or  any  individual.  The  Lord  has  provided.  At  first, 
when  the  men  of  Chicago  saw  him  giving  up  his  situa- 
tion that  he  might  work  for  the  Lord  and  '  live  by 
faith,'  they  thought  him  demented.  When,  however, 
they  witnessed  his  wondrous  success — when  they  saw 
his  church  become  an  accomplished  fact,  and  hun- 
dreds of  the  lowest  of  the  people,  young  and  old, 
arising  from  their  wretchedness  to  call  him  blessed — 
when  they  saw  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion, under  his  influence,  re-quickened  from  a  state  of 
torpor  to  become  a  power  for  good  in  the  city,  Chicago 
changed  its  mind  regarding  him,  and  now  it  honors 
him  as  one  of  its  chief  notabilities  and  benefactors." 

Sometimes  his  faith"  was  severely  tried,  but  he  never 
gavejrvay.  His  heroic  spirit  was  above  murmuring, 
and  he  counted  the  hardships  and  sufferings  he  under- 
went as  but  light  afflictions,  which  would  be  followed 
Tby  light  and  joy.  He  received  no  salary  from  any 
source,  but  depended  wholly  on  his  trust  in  God  for  his 
fcupport.  Always,  at  the  proper  time,  some  way  would 
be  found  out  of  his  difficulties,  and  he  went  cheerfully 
on  with  his  work,  content  in  saving  the  scum  and  off- 
Bcourings  of  the  great  city. 

He  was  always  a  prominent  character  in  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association.  He  put  new  life  into  it 
when  it  began  to  wane,  and  under  his  leadershii>  it 
hecame  a  popular  institution,  extending  its  influences 
and  blessings  to  all,  without  regard  to  their  condition 
and  standing  in  society. 


24 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


When  the  war  of  the  Great  Eebellion'^  broke  upon 
the  coiiutryj  and  the  arts  of  peace  gave  way  to  war, 
Mr.  Moody  had  an  entirely  new  field  opened  to  him. 
In  the  summer  of  1861,  when  volunteers  were  stationed 
near  the  limits  of  the  city,  he  gave  himself  immedi- 
ately to  ministering  to  their  spiritual  wants.  Eegular 
services  were  established,  on  Sundays  and  week  days, 
and  every  facility  afforded  the  soldiers  to  enjoy  reli- 
gious meetings.  Mr.  Moody  was  constant  in  his  labors 
in  camp,  and  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  meet  every  want 
that  arose. 

In  l^ovember,  1861,  the  United  States  Christian 
Commission  was  organized,  and  of  his  Avork  in  this 
department  we  quote  again  from  Eev.  Wm.  McCaw, 
in  the    Times  of  Blessing 

During  the  period  of  the  great  Civil  War,  when  the 
^  Christian  Commission  was  organized,  under  the  pres- 
idency of  Mr.  George  H.  Stuart,  to  minister  to  the 
temporal  and  spiritual  necessities  of  the  poor  soldiers 
in  the  field,  there  was  no  more  active  agent  than  Mr. 
Moody.  He  was  at  Shiloh,  at  Murfreesborough,  with 
the  army  at  Cleveland  and  Chattanooga ;  he  was  one  of 
the  first  to  enter  Eichmond,  devoting  himself  to  alle- 
viate the  sufferings  and  supply  the  uecessities  of  friend 
and  foe  alike,  sensible  only  that  the  sufferer  was  '  a  man 
and  a  brother.'  Many  are  the  thrilling  experiences 
through  which  he  j^assed  during  that  eventful  period, 
but  want  of  si)ace  forbids  their  record.  We  remember, 
however,  the  testimony  borne  to  him  by  Mr.  George  H. 
Stuart.  It  was  about  the  time  of  his  commencing  his 
labors  at  ISTew  Castle,  and  we  said  to  Mr.  Stuart  that 
Moody  was  not  at  all  known  in  England.  ^  I^Tot  known 
in  England !'  exclaimed  he ;  ^  then  he  tvill  be  known. 
We  have  no  man  in  the  United  States  equal  to  D  wight 
L.  Moody.    I  have  been  with  him  on  the  battle  fields 


DWianT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


Iiy  the  side  of  the  dying  soldier^  at  the  prayer  meeting 
hefore  the  engagement  and  after^  at  the  evangelistic 
service  ^  and  I  do  not  hesitate  to  express  my  conviction 
that  he  is  the  first  evangelist  in  the  world.^'' 

He  was  tireless  in  his  journeyings  to  and  from  the 
fields  of  battle  in  the  South^  having  made  several  trips 
during  the  course  of  the  war.  As  the  fruit  of  his 
labors,  numbers  of  soldiers  were  converted,  thousands 
were  comforted  in  their  last  hours,  and  a  great  deal  of 
suffering  alleviated.  The  following  beautiful  incident 
we  find  in  the  papers,  credited  to  ^'  Christian  Work  in 
the  Battle  Field 

During  the  American  war  there  was  a  man  in  one 
of  the  boat  loads  of  wounded  from  the  field  who  was 
very  low  and  in  a  kind  of  stupor.  He  was  entirely 
unknown.  A  little  stimulant  was  poured  down  his 
throat,  and  Mr.  Moody  called  him  by  different  names, 
but  could  get  no  response.  At  last,  at  the  name 
^William'  the  man  unclosed  his  eyes  and  looked  up. 
Some  more  stimulant  was  given,  when  he  revived.  He 
was  asked  if  he  was  a  Christian.  Though  replying  in 
the  negative,  he  yet  manifested  great  anxiety  upon 
the  subject. 

^But  I  am  so  great  a  sinner  that  I  can't  be  a 
Christian.' 

Mr.  Moody  told  him  he  would  read  wliat  Christ  said 
about  that,  so  turning  to  St.  John's  third  chapter,  he 
read — 

^  As  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  wilderness, 
even  so  must  the  Son  of  Man  be  lifted  up  ^  that  whoso- 
ever believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have 
eternal  life.  For  God  so  loved  the  world  that  He  gave 
His  only-begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in 
Him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.' 

'  Stop  !'  said  the  dying  man,  '  read  that  over  again, 
will  you  f  2 


26 


3MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


It  was  read  again.    '  Is  that  there  V 

'  Yes/  said  Mr.  Moody  ]  '  that  is  there  just  as  I  read 
it  to  you  V 

'  And  did  Christ  say  that  V    '  Yes.' 

The  man  began  repeating  the  words,  settling  back 
upon  his  pillow  as  he  did  so,  with  a  strange,  solemn 
look  of  peace  on  his  face.  He  took  no  further  notice 
of  what  was  going  on  about  him,  but  continued  mur- 
muring the  blessed  words  till  Mr.  Moody  left  him. 

The  next  morning,  when  the  soldier's  place  was 
visited,  it  was  found  emx:>ty.  Mr.  Moody  asked  if  any 
one  knew  aught  about  him  during  the  night.  A  nurse 
who  had  spent  the  hours  with  him  till  he  died,  replied, — 

^  All  the  time  I  was  with  him  he  was  repeating  some- 
thing about  Moses  lifting  up  the  serpent  in  the  wilder- 
ness. I  asked  him  if  there  was  anything  I  could  do 
for  him,  but  he  only  answered,  '  As  Moses  lifted  up  the 
serpent,'  etc.  Just  before  he  died,  about  midnight,  I 
saw  his  lips  moving,  though  there  was  no  sound  es- 
caping. I  thought  he  might  have  some  dying  message 
for  home,  so  I  asked  him  for  one.  But  the  only  answer 
was  the  whispered  AYords,  '  As  Moses  lifted  up  the  ser- 
pent in  the  wilderness,  even  so  must  the  Son  of  Man 
be  lifted  up :  that  whosoever  belie veth  in  Him^'  and  so 
on  until  his  voice  died  away,  and  his  lips  inoved  no 
longer.'" 

Mr.  Moody's  labors  in  behalf  of  the  soldiers  will 
ever  remain  one  of  the  brightest  spots  in  the  history 
of  his  life,  and  he  will  be  remembered  by  hundreds  of 
both  federal  and  confederate  soldiers,  who  recieved 
kind  treatment  at  his  hands. 

In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Moody  was  married  to  Miss 
Emma  C.  Eevell  of  Chicago,  who  proved  to  be  an  excel- 
lent companion  for  such  a  spirit  as  his,  and  they  labored 
earnestly  together  in  their  chosen  work  of  saving  souls. 


DWIOHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


27 


He  was  trustful,  confident  and  happy.  Counting  all 
things  for  his  Master^  he  cheerfully  continued  his  work, 
refusing  a  salary,  believing  that  the  Lord  would  none 
the  less  care  for  him,  now  that  he  had  the  added  re- 
^  sponsibility  of  a  family.  They  were  reduced  to  great 
straits  sometimes,  but  were  never  forgotten. 

In  his  family,  Mr.  Moody  is  a  capital  companion,  joy- 
ous and  freCj  the  mirth  and  life  of  the  household.  With 
no  cares  inside  the  family  circle,  he  gives  himself  up 
to  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  charming  life  of  a  well 
ordered  and  peaceful  family.  The  family  now  consists 
of  four  persons,  a  son  and  daughter  having  been 
added,  and  a  more  cheerful  and  happy  one  cannot  be 
found  anywhere. 

The  duties  of  Mr.  Moody  in  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion did  not  prevent  him  from  paying  close  attention 
to  his  mission  school.  During  the  war  he  built  a 
chapel  for  the  use  of  the  mission,  which  cost  $20,000. 
From  this  time  it  became  evident  that  a  church  must 
be  formed  eventually,  out  of  the  persons  collected  to- 
gether at  the  mission.  The  school  was  the  nucleus 
from  which  there  extended  a  wonderful  missionary 
work,  which  Avas  very  extended  in  its  inlluence.  The 
parents  of  the  children  became  interested,  and  many 
of  them  were  converted.  Among  the  neglected  portion 
of  the  people,  but  few  of  them  had  ever  been  inside  a 
church,  and  not  being  connected  Avith  any  church  or- 
ganization, there  arose  a  necessity  for  providing  them 
with  such  privileges.  He  advised  them  to  join  such 
churches  as  they  preferred,  but  they  did  not  feel  at 
home  in  any  church,  nor  with  any  teacher  but  their 
friend  Moody.  Out  of  this  crowd  of  converts,  grew  an 
independent  church,  and  Mr.  Moody  became  its  recog- 
nized leader.  It  was  made  up  almost  exclusively  of 
converts  from  his  school,  consisting  of  men,  women 


28 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


and  children.  But  in  all  Chicago  there  was  not  such  a 
working  church  as  this.  They  all  studied  their  Bibles 
and  did  just  such  religious  work  as  seemed  likely  to  be 
of  the  greatest  good  to  the  people  about  them. 

This  society  occupied  the  $20,000  chapel.  It  was 
organized  on  the  plan  of  the  Congregationalists,  though 
not  strictly  regarded  as  one  of  that  communion.  Its 
articles  of  faith  were  brief  and  to  the  point,  and  were  > 
made  up  ijrincipally  from  passages  of  Scripture,  retain- 
ing their  phraseology,  and  having  in  each  the  references 
to  where  they  may  be  found  in  the  Bible.  The  mem- 
bership grew  to  about  450  members,  who  were  very 
useful  in  the  city,  not  being  equalled  by  any  in  the 
extensive  amount  of  work  done  by  them. 

As  a  pastor  Mr.  Moody  has  no  superior.  He  lived 
with  his  people,  had  their  symiDathies,  and  he  sincerely 
loved  them  in  return.  The  Sunday  school  was  a  very 
interesting  and  valuable  feature  in  the  society.  They 
regarded  it  as  the  greatest  blessing  of  their  lives,  as  it 
was  the  modest  mission  school  that  rescued  many  of 
them  from  destruction,  gave  them  a  place  in  the  church, 
and  made  them  respectable  citizens. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  had  become 
a  power  in  Chicago,  many  of  the  most  eminent  Chris- 
tian men  in  the  ISTorthwest  being  connected  with  it. 
In  the  year  1865,  Mr.  Moody  was  elected  President  of 
the  Association,  after  the  most  animated  contest  that 
had  been  experienced  in  its  history.  It  was  thought 
unadvisable,  by  many  of  the  good  brethren,  to  put  an 
uneducated  man  like  him  at  the  head  of  such  an  im- 
portant trust.  I^one  doubted  his  honesty  of  purpose, 
and  his  earnest  desire  to  do  good,  but  it  was  some- 
what humiliating  to  the  learned  divines  of  the  Associ- 
ation to  have  a  man  at  its' head  who  was  not  so  refined 
as  they. 


DWIGHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


29 


He  became  the  president,  and  sucli  an  one  it  had 
never  before  chosen.  He  was  indefatigable  in  his 
labors,  and  set  himself  to  work,  with  a  choice  cabinet 
of  advisers,  to  erect  a  building  for  the  Association. 
It  had  not  sufficient  room  to  carry  out  its  enterprises, 
and  there  was  a  pressing  need  for  a  building  for  their 
own  usCj  and  Mr.  Moody  began  a  movement  to  sup- 
ply the  want.  He  applied  himself  to  this  work  pre- 
cisely in  the  same  spirit  as  if  he  were  organizing  a 
mission  school  or  a  church. 

He  first  made  it  the  subject  of  earnest  prayer,  ask- 
ing Grod  to  aid  him  in  his  work  and  make  it  success- 
ful. Then,  armed  with  an  unswerving  trust  in  the 
Lord,  and  in  the  ultimate  success  of  his  enterprise,  he 
went  to  work  with  all  his  might  and  strength.  'No 
stone  was  left  unturned,  no  effort  left  untried,  and  no 
obstacle  x)crmitted  to  stand  in  his  way  to  make  a  com- 
plete success  of  his  cherished  scheme. 

In  about  two  years  the  building  was  completed,  at  a 
cost  of  nearly  $200,000,  which  had  been  i)laced  as 
stock  among  Christian  men  by  Mr.  Moody.  It  had  a 
fine  hall,  and  all  the  necessary  appointments  for  a 
complete  building  for  the  purposes  intended,  besides 
several  storerooms,  from  which  some  income  was 
derived.  The  dedication  of  the  building  was  an  im- 
portant era  in  the  history  of  the  Association,  and  will 
long  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  proudest  hours  of 
its  work.  Here  was  a  grand  and  imposing  structure, 
built  expressly  for  use  in  Christian  worship,  and  a 
credit  to  the  Association,  as  well  as  to  the  city  in 
which  it  was  built.  E"othing  of  the  kind  had  ever 
before  occurred,  even  in  that  city  of  wonderful  works, 
and  it  was  a  demonstration  of  the  fact,  that  untiring 
labor,  zeal,  and  faith,  such  as  Mr.  Moody  put  into  it, 
were  sure  to  win  if  rightly  applied. 


30 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


The  new  building  now  became  one  of  the  most  inter- 
esting scenes  of  his  labors.  He  preached  in  it  and  his 
chapel  alternately,  day  and  night,  and  in  the  hall 
his  congregations  were  often  made  of  peojjle  from 
all  quarters,  who  dropped  in  there  because  a  hearty 
and  generous  welcome  was  extended  them.  No  man 
ever  had  greater  opportunities  for  doing  good  than 
were  now  afforded  Mr.  Moody,  and  he  was  prompt  to 
appreciate  his  position  and  take  advantage  of  it.  He 
was  frequently  called  upon  to  organize  societies  at  dis 
tant  places,  and  put  them  in  good  condition  for  effi- 
cient service.    His  services  were  in  constant  demand. 

With  all  this  unparalleled  prosx3erity,  and  exalta- 
tion as  a  Christian  tep^cher,  Mr.  Moody  was  the  same 
humble,  devoted  Christian,  counting  all  such  things  as 
of  small  moment,  as  compared  with  the  dignified  work 
of  saving  sinners  from  destruction.  He  still  searched 
for  the  lost  in  the  lanes  and  byways  ^  and  among  the 
saloons  and  iniquitous  dens  hunted  for  those  who  were 
so  greatly  in  need  of  the  salvation  which  he  proclaimed. 

In  less  than  six  months  from  its  building,  Farwell 
Hall,''  the  great  monument  of  Mr.  Moody's  labors,  was 
burned  to  the  ground.  It  was  a  heavy  loss  to  the 
Association,  but  its  president  went  to  work  immedi- 
ately^ to  rebuild  it ;  and  within  a  year  or  two,  another 
building  finer  than  the  first,  was  erected  on  the  same 
spot.  In  its  erection,  and  in  raising  money  for  that 
purpose,  Mr.  Moody  was  indefatigable  and  tireless  in 
his  efforts  and  labors.  Everybody  was  brought  under 
contribution  who  could  be  influenced  at  all.  It  was 
largely  owing  to  his  cheerfulness  and  good  manage- 
ment that  the  new  building  was  so  soon  x)ut  up. 
~Eow,  more  than  ever,  Farwell  Hall"  became  the 
centre  of  attraction  to  hundreds  of  souls  who  would 
have  received  spiritual  comfort  and  teaching  at  no 


DWI^HT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


31 


other  place.  The  people  of  the  saloon  neighborhoods 
soon  learned  that  they  were  just  as  welcome  to  attend 
the  ministry  of  the  Word  here^  as  the  most  fashion- 
ablCj  rich,  and  highly  cultivated.  What  pains  this 
good  man  put  himself  to,  in  order  that  he  might  win 
to  Jesus  the  souls  of  these  xjeople,  many  of  whom 
would  have  been  lost  but  for  him !  He  also  had  in 
the  new  hall  a  good  Christian  library,  which,  with  the 
many  other  attractions,  drew  large  crowds  of  people 
continually.  The  blessings  of  God  rested  upon  all  the 
work  done  here,  and  He  was  using  all  for  His  honor 
and  glory. 

Mr.  Moody  was  frequentl}^  called  upon  to  x^reach  at 
distant  ^joints,  and  his  labors  were  signally  blest  in 
promoting  revivals  of  religion.  As  illustrating  the 
faith  and  determination  of  the  man,  we  give  the  fol- 
lowing incident,  given  by  Eev.  Wm.  McCaw  in  the 
"  Times  of  Blessing 

He  had  been  invited  to  go  to  a  country  town  to  hold 
evangelistic  services,  but  was  obliged  to  postpone  his 
visit.  Having  a  leisure  week  in  summer,  he  sent  a 
message  to  one  of  the  pastors  of  the  place  that  he  was 
coming,  and  took  the  next  train.  On  his  arrival  he 
called  on  the  minister.  Said  he,  '  Vm  sorry  you  have 
come ;  when  we  wrote  you  all  seemed  fair  for  a  revi- 
val ;  now  all  promise  is  gone.'  He  called  on  another 
minister;  said  he,  ^ You'd  better  have  stayed  at  home; 
winter  is  the  time,  in  summer  people  are  too  busy.' 
Mr.  Moody,  however,  was  not. to  be  thus  discouraged. 
He  persuaded  a  few  friends  to  go  with  him  to  the  cor- 
ner of  a  public  square,  got  ui3  on  the  toj)  of  a  packing 
case,  and  began  to  speak.  A  crowd  gathered,  they 
listened,  they  wept.  He  invited  all  who  wished  to 
accompany  him  to  a  second  meeting  in  a  church  at 
hand.    The  church  could  not  hold  all  who  followed. 


32 


MOODY  AND  SANKET. 


Meetings  were  multix>lied,  and  a  gracious  revival  was 
the  result.  The  first  pastor  said,  was  mistaken; 
the  Lord  knew  when  to  send.'  The  second  said,  see 
summer  is  just  the  time  for  a  revival.'  And  that  is 
only  one  illustration  of  the  mighty  influence  he  has, 
by  God's  blessing,  exercised  in  various  i)arts  of  the 
country  in  quickening  the  Church,  and  in  awakening 
concern  among  the  men  of  the  world." 


CHAP  TEE  III. 

EYEKYTHiNa  now  seemed  in  a  flourishing  and  pros- 
perous condition,  and  there  w^as  nothing  in  the  way  to 
prevent  Mr.  Moody  from  making  the  most  sweeping 
inroads  upon  the  power  of  Satan  and  sin.  But  a 
terrible  calamity  befell  the  scene  of  his  labors  in  the 
great  fire  of  October,  1871.  It  wholly  destroyed  his 
homCj  furniture,  church,  Far  well  Hall,  everything 
inflammable,  all  of  which  were  dear  and  sacred  to  his 
heart.  While  some  of  the  family  were  asleep,  in  the 
middle  of  the  night,  they  were  aroused  by  the  fearful 
conflagration,  which,  with  the  mighty  power  of  a  hur- 
ricane, was  approaching  his  house  and  sweex)ing  all 
before  it.  He  lost  all  that  he  possessed  except  his 
Bible,  which  he  saved,  and  which  was  the  more  valu- 
able to  him  on  that  account,  and  his  wife,  against  his 
will,  saved  a  painting  of  himself.  While  the  fire  was 
at  its  height,  and  the  members  of  the  family  were 
leaving  their  home  for  the  last  time,  Mrs.  Moody 
rushed  into  the  parlor  and  rescued  a  large  and  valu- 
able oil  painting  of  Mr.  Moody,  which  had  been  pre- 
sented to  her  by  some  of  their  friends.  Handing  the 
picture  to  him,  she  asked  him  to  carry  it  for  her.  He 
threw  it  down,  declaring  he  would  not  carry  it,  as  he 


DWiailT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


33 


said,  the  first  man  I  should  meet  would  say,  '  Well, 
Moody,  what  did  you  save  ! '  and  I  would  have  to  say, 
only  my  picture.''  His  wife  picked  it  up,  and  tearing 
it  from  the  frame  rolled  it  up  and  carried  it  with  h^r 
out  of  the  fire. 

Within  a  month  after  the  fire  a  building  was  put  up 
for  the  accommodation  of  his  congregation.  It  was  a 
low  wooden  structure,  capable  of  holding  about  1,500 
persons.  The  building  Avas  put  ui3  while  Mr.  Moody 
was  in  the  east  raising  money  for  the  same,  some 
friends  in  Philadelphia  promx)tly  raising  the  largest 
part  of  the  funds.  When  he  returned  the  house  was 
ready  for  occupancy,  and  he  commenced  at  once  to 
hold  services  for  all  classes  of  peoi)le,  and  also  to  give 
out  the  relief  goods"  sent  to  him  from  all  parts  of 
the  country  for  the  poor  sufferers. 

The  whole  city  was  in  the  direst  confusion  during 
that  period,  and  every  one  busy  attending  to  his  own 
affairs,  if  all  had  not  been  lost.  It  was  a  strange 
looking  affair,  this  ^'  Korth  Side  Tabernacle,"  but  it 
was  well  fitted  to  adorn  the  destitute  locality  in  which 
it  was  placed.  It  was  built  of  rough  timber  and 
boards,  one  story  high,  and  made  proof  against  the 
cold  blasts  of  winter.  The  people  around  were  glad 
enough  to  have  even  such  a  church,  and  they  gathered 
within  it  to  hear  words  of  cheer  from  Mr.  Moody.  The 
building  was  kept  open  all  the  time,  and  the  warmth 
inside,  with  the  cheerful  religious  services,  attracted 
and  drew  to  it  many  persons  who  were  wandering 
about  homeless.  A  happier  man  than  Moody  in  these 
fearful  days  never  lived.  He  was  always  ready  to 
grasp  the  hands  of  the  poor  wanderers  who  drifted 
into  his  meetings,  and  give  them  a  hearty  welcome. 
God  honored  this  work,  and  prospered  it  in  a  wonder- 
ful manner.   The  meetings  held  were  characterized 

2* 


34 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


by  great  power.  Moody  preached  to  the  sinner^  fed  the 
himgryj  clothed  the  naked  and  shivering^  expostu- 
lated with  the  obdurate,  and  pointed  the  penitent  to 
God. 

Sankey  was  on  hand  too,  and  with  his  voice  full  of 
emotion  and  tenderness,  in  the  beauty  and  sweetness 
of  song  gently  led  the  poor  wanderers  into  the  haven 
of  rest  and  peace.  Chicago  was,  and  is,  a  place  of 
great  things  and  mighty  works,  but  it  is  doubtful  if 
it  ever  had  a  more  glorious  work  in  it,  than  the  setting 
up  of  the  tabernacle'^  in  the  desolations  of  the 
burnt  district.  A  sweeping,  glorious  wave  of  gospel 
grace  flowed  through  the  meetings  held.  The  fire  had 
swept  aw^ay  homes  5  it  had  desolated  a  beautiful  city, 
and  reduced  thousands  from  affluence  to  poverty  -  but 
it  had  not  taken  from  these  honest,  faithful  worship- 
X)ers,  the  presence  of  the  spirit  of  God,  and  the  precious 
promises  of  the  Saviour. 

These  were  all  that  was  left,  but  they  were  altogether 
sufficient. 

Perhaps  in  no  other  department  of  labor  has  Mr. 
Moody  done  more  lasting  good,  than  in  the  Sunday 
school.  He  is  a  special  favorite  among  the  children, 
with  whom  he  always  manages  to  spend  a  i)leasant 
time.  They  soon  learn  to  love  him  with  an  intense 
love,  and  he  consequently  has  a  strong  hold  upon 
them  in  their  religious  training.  By  reason  of  his  re- 
markable success  in  Sunday  school  work,  he  was  soon 
sought  after  to  speak  in  Sunday  school  conventions, 
where  he  has  done  some  of  the  best  work  of  his  life. 
They  w6re  usually  conducted  in  the  formal  way  for 
which  such  meetings  are  sometimes  noted,  which  did 
not  suit  the  spirit  of  Moody.  He  wanted  to  see  prac- 
tical work  done — not  only  routine  business  gone 
through,  but  spiritual  victories  achieved. 


DWIOHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


35 


Several  conventions  had  been  held  in  Illinois  at 
which  he  was  present,  with  no  spiritual  good  what- 
ever. Mr.  Moody  determined  to  change  this  if  he 
could.  At  the  next  convention  held  in  the  State,  he 
made  up  his  mind  that  a  different  work  must  be  done. 
He  went  around  among  the  ministers,  and  aroused 
them  to  the  necessity  of  thorough  i)reparation  for  the 
coming  convention.  Before  it  came  off  he  had  meet- 
ings held,  and  by  the  time  of  its  sitting,  scores  of 
persons  had  manifested  their  desire  to  become  the  sub- 
jects of  saving  grace. 

It  was  characterized  throughout  by  the  greatest 
spiritual  power  and  enthusiasm,  and  before  it  was 
concluded  many  souls  were  converted.  The  delegates 
were  fired  with  love  and  zeal  for  the  cause,  and  they 
returned  to  their  homes  to  make  their  schools  scenes 
of  spiritual  x>ower.  The  tide  of  blessing  reached  all 
parts  of  the  State,  and  the  good  results  were  early 
seen.  In  future  conventions  the  same  spirit  was 
manifested,  and  they  became  spiritual  meetings  of  the 
most  extraordinary  power. 

Tlie  record  of  these  conventions  from  1865  to  the 
departure  of  Mr.  Moody  from  Chicago,  shows  the  same 
spirit  of  devotion  to  the  Master  ;  and  the  master  hand 
of  the  great  convention  worker  was  manifest  in  all  of 
them.  His  devotedness  to  the  work,  his  unselfish 
labors  for  the  elevation  of  the  meetings  to  a  position 
of  spiritual  power,  and  the  zeal  he  infused  into  them, 
have  had  the  effect  of  changing  the  character  of  such 
assemblies  the  country  over.  IsTow  they  are  a  power 
in  the  land,  and  when  the  delegates  from  the  schools 
of  the  land  associate  together,  their  work  is  looked 
upon  as  a  mighty  power.  How  much  of  this  is  due  to 
the  earnest  labors  of  Mr.  Moody  is  not  so  easy  to  deter- 
mine, but  that  he  has  been  a  prominent  actor  in  it 


36 


MOODY  Am)  SANKEY. 


cannot  be  doubted  for  a  moment.  His  name  will 
stand  high  among  Sunday  school  workers  5  and  for 
his  entire  and  hearty  devotion  to  the  children  he  will 
never  be  forgotten. 

In  all  these  busy  years  of  Mr.  Moody's  continuous 
labors,  he  sorely  felt  the  need  of  greater  learning  than 
he  possessed.  He  was  often  troubled  by  reason  of  his 
lack  of  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  in  order  that 
he  might  be  fully  qualihed  for  his  great  work,  he  set 
himself  to  an  earnest  study  of  the  Word  of  God.  He 
determined  to  become  a  man  of  one  book,  and  that  one 
the  Book  of  God.  He  had  seen  the  great  effectiveness 
of  using  the  Bible  in  religious  services,  irrespective  of 
any  other  literary  aids  whatever.  An  experience  of 
several  years  showed  him  that  the  more  closely  he  con- 
fined himself  to  the  language  of  the  Bible,  the  greater 
success  he  had.  His  oratory  and  eloquence  amounted 
to  but  little  when  he  attempted  to  depend  upon  them. 
There  were  not  many  pulpit  speakers  who  could  sway 
an  audience  at  his  will  as  could  Mr.  Moody,  but  it  was 
simply  and  almost  wholly  because  of  his  intense  ear- 
nestness in  preaching  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified,^' 
and  especially  when  done  through  the  medium  of  his 
Bible  readings  or  Bible  study. 

He  always  carried  his  Bible  with  him,  and  in  the 
mornings  arose  as  early  as  four  o'clock,  from  which 
time  till  breakfast  he  pored  over  the  Oracles  of  God. 
He  had  read  the  Bible  for  years 5  just  as  scores  and 
hundreds  of  Christians  read  it  every  day;  but  now 
he  began  to  •  study  it  with  all  his  heart,  and  on 
his  knees.  He  prayed  over  it,  asked  God  to  give  him 
light,  and  he  received  a  knowledge  of  the  old  Book 
that  few  men  have. 

His  Bible  readings  grew  out  of  a  desire  to  make  the 
best  possible  use  of  the  time  he  had  at  his  command. 


DWiaHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


37 


He  would  liave  Lis  congregations  bring  tlieir  Bibles  to 
cliurcli  with  them,  when,  some  certain  subject  being 
selected,  the  whole  Bible  would  be  explored  to  learn 
what  was  taught  on  that  particular  theme.  Many 
hands  made  easier  work  of  it,  and  with  the  aid  of  a 
concordance  it  was  not  a  difficult  matter  to  soon  ascer- 
tain what  the  inspired  writers  had  recorded  on  the 
question.  Thus  joined  together,  the  texts  of  Scripture 
formed  the  best  system  of  theology  known.  This 
method  of  studying  the  Bible,  and  teaching  it  to  his 
congregation,  was  a  wonderful  help  to  Mr.  Moody. 
What  he  lacked  in  '^book  learning''  was  made  up  to 
him  in  this  way  5  and  his  sermons  delivered  in  this 
form  scarcely  ever  failed  to  make  deep  and  lasting 
impressions,  and  generally  i)roduced  immediate  effect 
upon  his  audiences.  In  his  meetings  in  Great  Britain, 
especially  among  the  Scotch,  this  manner  of  teaching- 
was  followed  by  wonderful  results.  It  was  as  if  the 
spirit  of  God  were  talking  to  the  congregations  through 
the  inspired  Word. 

One  other  feature  of  his  work  deserves  special  men- 
tion. While  he  was  leader  of  his  church,  caring  for 
his  large  Sunday  school,  administering  the  affairs  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  engaged 
at  intervals  in  conventions  and  revivals,  he  found  time 
to  put  in  operation  and  conduct  out-door  meetings. 
These  meetings  were  very  successful  among  the  soldiers 
in  the  field,  and  they  were  continued  with  the  best  of 
results.  He  held  them  in  the  streets  of  Chicago,  or 
elsewhere,  just  as  the  occasion  and  time  seemed  to 
demand;  and  they  were  blessed  to  the  conversion  oi 
many  souls.  He  had  as  many  discouragements  in 
these  meetings  as  in  any  others  he  ever  held.  At  some 
places  opposition  was  made  to  them,  which  but  nerved 
Moody  to  make  them  a  success  in  spite  of  all  odds  and 


38 


MOODY  iJNT)  SA^KEY. 


opposition.  He  always  made  it  a  part  of  his  duty  to 
conquer  all  opposition,  and  lie  did  so  in  these  meetings, 

Mr.  3IoodT  has  visited  Europe  three  times.  His  call 
to  cross  the  ocean  was  attended  by  many  difficulties. 
Upon  his  second  visit  to  Euroj^e  he  established  a  daily 
union  prayer  meeting  in  London.  While  in  that  great 
city^  his  friend  Mr.  Tarley  said  to  him,  It  remains  for 
the  world  to  see  wliat  the  Lord  can  do  with  a  man 
wholly  consecrated  to  Christ.''  This  remark  was  the 
cause  of  inducing  Mm  to  undertake,  with  31r.  Sankey. 
the  evangelizing  tour  in  Great  Britain;  and  the  world 
has  seen  what  such  men  can  do. 

Much  speculation  has  been  indulged  as  to  what 
are  the  elements  of  Mr.  3Ioody's  power.  The  world 
wants  to  know  how  such  a  man  can  revolutionize 
society^  and  set  everybody  to  thinking  about  their  soul's 
salvation.  Li  private  intercourse  he  is  characterized 
by  great  gentleness  and  tenderness.  He  is  courteous 
toward  all  persons,  and  particularly  free  from  selfish- 
ness in  any  form.  His  soul  is  alive  to  the  needs  of 
every  one^  and  his  great  heart  of  love  goes  out  toward 
all  whom  he  can  benefit  in  any  way.  His  presence  is 
a  benediction,  and  wherever  he  goes^  or  in  whatever 
company  he  moves,  he  carries  joy  and  cheerfulness 
with  him.  There  is  no  affectation  about  him  in  any 
sense,  but  he  is  the  same  under  any  and  all  circum- 
stances. There  is  not  a  particle  of  meanness  in  his 
nature^  but  he  is  eminently  one  of  nature's  noblemen^ 
fitted  to  adorn  a  Christian  home  or  a  Christian  pulpit. 
He  is  hospitable  in  his  homCj  and  friends  naturally 
crowd  around  him.  to  do  him  houor^  and  receive  his 
proffered  love  and  friendship. 

One  writer  said  of  him,  relative  to  his  habits  of 
worky  He  is  a  business  man,  and  he  meiins  business^ 
and  every  word  he  speaks  is  meant  to  lead  to  definite 


DWiaHT  LYMAN  MOODY. 


39 


business,  and  if  it  does  not  do  that  he  regards  it  as 
thrown  away.  Most  people  believe  that  there  is  a  life 
beyond  the  grave,  and  that  there  is  some  way  of  sal- 
vation, and  some  way  of  being  lost  forever;  and  this 
is  rather  important  business  after  all.  Mr.  Moody 
goes  into  the  heart  of  this  weighty  matter  at  once,  and 
he  puts  it  in  a  business  way  ;  says  he  himself  has  sal- 
vation, in  fact  is  saved  forever  by  the  Son  of  God;  and 
that  every  soul  that  wants  it  may  have  it  too,  at  once, 
and  know  it,  and  go  home  with  it,  and  be  as  happy  as 
they  like 

A  writer  in  the  Daily  Review  had  the  following  to 
say  of  him  : 

He  is  not  a  man  of  much  education  or  culture  ;  his 
manner  is  abrupt  and  blunt ;  his  speech  bristles  with 
Americanisms;  his  voice  is  sharp,  rapid,  and  collo- 
quial ;  and  he  never  attempts  anything  like  finished  or 
elaborate  composition.  But  he  is  in  downright  earnest. 
He  believes  what  he  says  ;  he  says  it  as  if  he  believed 
it,  and  he  expects  his  audience  to  believe  it.  He  gets 
wonderfully  near  to  his  hearers,  without  any  apparent 
effort.  Whatever  size  the  audience  may  be,  he  is  at 
home  with  them  at  once,  and  he  makes  them  feel  that 
they  are  at  home  with  him.  He  rs  gifted  with  a  rare 
sagacity,  an  insight  into  the  human  heart,  a  knowledge 
of  what  is  stirring  in  it,  and  of  what  is  fitted  to  im- 
press it.  He  has  in  his  i)ossession  a  large  number  of 
incidents  and  experiences  Avell  fitted  to  throw  light 
on  the  points  he  employs  them  to  elucidate,  and  to 
clench  the  appeals  which  he  uses  them  to  enforce.  In 
addition  to  all  this  he  has  a  deeply  pathetic  vein, 
which  enables  him  to  plead  very  earnestly  at  the  very 
citadel  of  the  heart.  At  first  his  tone  may  seem  to  be 
hard.  He  will  take  for  his  text,  There  is  no  differ- » 
ence,"  and  press  the  doctrine  of  universal  condemna- 
tion as  if  the  worst  and  the  best  were  precisely  alike. 


40 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


Possibly  the  antagonism  of  bis  audience  is  somewhat 
roused.  But  by  and  by  he  will  take  them  with  him  to 
some  affecting  deathbed,  and  his  tone  will  show  how 
profoundly  his  own  heart  is  stirred  by  what  is  happen- 
ing there.  The  vein  of  pathos  comes  out  t<3nderly  and 
beautifully.  He  seems  as  if  he  were  lying  on  the 
ground  pleading  in  tears  with  his  hearers  to  come  to 
Christ.  Butj  most  important  of  all,  he  seems  to  rely 
for  effect  absolutely  on  divine  power.  Of  course,  every 
true  preacher  does,  but  in  very  different  degrees  of 
conscious  trust  and  expectation.  Mr.  Moody  goes  to 
his  meetings  fully  expecting  the  Divine  Presence, 
because  he  has  asked  it.  He  speaks  with  the  fear- 
lessness, the  boldness,  and  the  directness  of  one  deliv- 
ering a  message  from  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of 
lords.  And  he  takes  pains  to  have  his  own  heart  in 
the  spirit  of  the  message.  He  tries  to  go  to  his  audi- 
ence loving  them,  and  actively  and  fervently  longing 
for  their  salvation.  He  says  that  if  he  does  not  try  to 
stir  up  this  spirit  of  love  beforehand,  he  cannot  get 
hold  of  an  audience ;  if  he  does,  he  never  fails.  He 
endeavors  to  address  them  with  a  soul  steeped  in  the 
corresponding  emotion. 

With  all  this,  there  is  in  Mr.  Moody  a  remarkable 
naturalness,  a  want  of  all  approach  to  affectation  or 
sanctimoniousness.  There  is  no  carnal  excitement  iu 
bis  manner  or  utterance.  Earnestness  there  is,  indeed, 
but  it  is  moral  and  spiritual,  not  carnal  or  sensational. 
His  manner  is  rather  behind  tlian  at  the  head  of  his 
subject-matter.  There  is  nothing  of  novelty  in  the 
doctrine  which  he  proclaims.  It  is  the  old  Gospel — 
old,  yet  always  fresh  and  young,  too,  as  the  living 
fountain  or  the  morning  sun — in  which  the  substitu- 
tion of  Christ  is  placed  in  the  centre,  and  presented 
with  admirable  distinctness  and  decision.  It  is  spoken 
with  most  impressive  directness^  not  as  by  a  man  half 


DWiaHT  LYMAN  MOODY, 


41 


convinced,  and  wlio  seems  always  to  feel  tliat  a  skep- 
tic is  looking  over  his  shoulder,  hut  with  a  deep  con- 
viction of  the  truth  of  what  he  says,  as  if  he  felt  that, 
^  if  he  did  not  speak,  the  very  stones  would  cry  out.' 

There  is,  besides,  a  play  of  humor  which  spirts  out 
sometimes  in  his  most  serious  addresses.  Doubtless, 
he  gets  the  tone  of  his  system  restored  by  letting  the 
humor  out  of  him,  after  a  long  day's  hard  and  earnest 
work.  For  children  he  has  obviously  a  great  affection, 
and  they  draw  to  him  freely  and  pleasantly.  We 
should  fancy  him  a  famous  man  to  lead  a  Sunday 
school  excursion  party  to  the  country,  and  set  them 
agoing  with  all  manner  of  joyous  and  laugliing  games. 
We  are  sure  he  would  be  the  happiest  of  the  party, 
enjoying  the  fun  himself,  as  Avell  as  pleased  at  their 
enjoyment  of  it.  The  repression  of  human  nature,  or 
the  running  of  it  into  artificial  moulds,  is  no  part  of  his 
policy.  We  are  sure  that  he  must  agree  with  the  late 
Dr.  Guthrie  that  there  is  nothing  bad  in  human  na- 
ture, except  its  corruptions,  and  that  our  aim  should 
be  not  to  destroy  it  or  any  part  of  it,  but  to  get  it 
restored  as  God  at  first  made  it.  His  instincts  of 
sagacity  make  him  recoil  from  all  one-sidedness,  and 
desire  that  men  and  women  under  God's  grace  should 
hide  no  true  accomplishment  and  lose  no  real  charm. 

Mr.  Moody's  common  sense  stamps  all  his  earnest- 
ness and  all  his  plans,  and  wins  in  a  remarkable  man- 
ner the  confidence  of  all  w^ho  come  in  contact  with  him. 
Whatever  else  may  be  said  of  him,  no  one  can  call  him 
a  fanatic ;  and  this  gives  to  his  steady,  invincible,  un- 
tiring self-sacrifice  such  irresistible  power." 

We  close  our  sketch  of  this  Avonderful  man  with  a 
^quotation  from  another  writer,  whose  name  has  escaped 
us,  relating  to  the  power  of  his  preaching : 

Mr.  Moody's  preaching  is  more  after  the  manner 
of  an  address  given  from  a  platform  than  a  sermon  from 


42 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


a  pulpit.  Usually  lie  deals  with  a  tlieme  rather  than  with 
a  text.  He  delights  to  run  through  the  whole  Word 
on  one  subject;  for  instance,  ''the  love  of  God  for  sin- 
ners.'' Every  book  of  the  Bible  would  be  laid  under 
contribution  for  this  ;  the  united  testimony  of  all  the 
Christian  writers  would  be  brought  forth  to  show  that 
in  every  age,  and  amidst  all  conditions,  God  hastiever 
ceased  to  love  his  children. 

''  It  will  at  once  be  seen  that  this  method  of  teach- 
ing involves  most  copious  reference  to  the  Scriptures 
themselves  ;  and  sometimes,  as  the  turning  up  of  the 
passages  by  one  man  would  involve  loss  of  time,  sev- 
eral who  are  sitting  round  will  be  asked  to  find  and 
read,  as  they  are  announced,  the  various  passages  of 
Holy  Writ.  This  gives  a  freshness  and  a  change  to 
the  service,  which  are  particularly  novel  and  agreeable. 

^^Mr.  Moody's  preaching  is  intensely  earnest;  he 
speaks  because  he  believes  the  vital  importance  of  the 
truth  he  utters,  and  not  simply  because  he  is  expected 
to  say  something.  His  power  of  illustration  is  marvel- 
lous, both  for  its  freshness  and  its  pathos.  Sometimes 
the  effect  of  some  illustration,  nearly  always  taken 
from  his  own  life  and  experience,  is  so  great  that  the 
most  hardened  feel  their  hearts  smitten  and  drawn 
into  sympathy  with  the  truth,  and  those  who  before 
have  looked  upon  Christ  as  having  ^^no  form  nor  come- 
liness," and  ''  no  beauty  that  they  should  desire  Him," 
are  drawn  towards  Him  as  their  Saviour  and  their 
Friend.  Words  utterly  fail  to  convey  an  adequate 
idea  of  the  power  of  the  simple  and  earnest — thrill- 
ingly  earnest— presentation  of  the  truth  at  these  Gos- 
pel services ;  and  the  i30wer  can  only  be  accounted  for 
on  the  ground  that  the  Spirit  of  God,  without  noise 
and  excitement,  but  in  the  calm,  clear  utterances  of 
Divine  truth,  attests  to  the  power  of  the  Word  to 
awaken,  convince,  and  convert  the  hearts  of  men." 


IRA  D.  SANKEY. 


OHAPTEE  lY. 

Ira  David  Sankey  was  bom  in  Bdenburg,  Mer- 
cer (now  Lawrence)  county^  Pennsylvania,  on  tlie  28tli 
of  August,  1840.  He  is  of  American  parentage,  both 
parents  liavii-g  been  born  and  reared  in  the  same 
county  where  Ira  was  born. 

Hon.  David  Sankey,  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was,  and  is  yet,  a  man  of  prominence  in  his 
county  and  State.  Beginning  life  poor,  he  has  risen  to 
honor  and  com j)etencyo  He  learned  the  business  of  tan- 
ner, which  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  on  account  of 
his  health,  when  he  removed  to  a  farm  on  the  summit 
between  the  Mahoning  and  Sbenango  rivers,  in  Law- 
rence county,  at  the  then  head  of  navigation  on  the 
Erie  extension  of  the  Pennsylvania  Canal,  at  a  place 
called  Western  Reserve  Harbor.  Here  he  engaged  in 
the  forwarding  and  commission  business,  and  in 
farming.  He  has  filled  several  important  i)osts  of 
honor  and  trust,  and  retired  from  each  with  the  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was 
elected  school  director  immediately  after  the  passage 
of  the  common  schooPMaw,  and  did  much  toward 
putting  into  operation  that  beneficial  system  of  in- 
struction. 

Mi\  Sankey  represented  Mercer  county  in  the  House 
of  Representatives,  in  the  years  1844  and  1845,  and 
Mercer  and  Beaver  counties  in  the  Senate  in  1848, 
1849  and  1850.  During  his  senatorial  term  the  county 
of  Lawrence,  his  present  home,  was  erected,  mainly 


44 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


through  his  efforts.  He  was  an  able  and  faithful  legis- 
lator^  paying  the  closest  attention  to  the  wishes  of  his 
constituents,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  his  associate 
legislators.  As  a  member  of  the  senate  committee  on 
claims,  he  rendered  important  and  efacient  service  to 
the  commonwealth  by  a  vigilant  scrutiny  into  the 
merits  of  the  numerous  claims  for  work,  etc.,  on  all  the 
lines  of  the  State  canals,  many  of  which  were  found  to 
be  fraudulent.  In  1851  he  was  appointed  to  represent 
his  judicial  district  on  the  Eevenue  Board,  for  the 
equalization  of  taxes  in  the  State. 

In  September,  1862,  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Lincoln,  Collector  of  Internal  Eevenue  for  the  24th 
District  of  Pennsylvania,  which  office  he  held,  and  dis- 
charged its  duties  with  great  credit,  until  he  was  re- 
moved in  September,  1866,  for  not  supporting  the 
policy^'  of  President  Andrew  Johnson. 

Mr.  Sankey  married  Miss  Mary  Leeper  of  the  same 
county,  a  most  estimable  lady,  quite  domestic  in  her 
attachments  to  home  and  home  work;  and  by  reason 
of  her  industry  and  love  of  the  children,  and  an 
earnest  desire  to  make  home  attractive  and  fit  for  in- 
telligent children,  was  in  every  sense  worthy  of  her 
noble  boy,  who  has  made  the  name  of  Sankey  famous 
the  world  over.  Both  the  parents  are  religious,  and 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  They 
have  had  eleven  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  now 
living,  three  boys  and  one  girl,  Ira  being  the  oldest  of 
the  boys,  and  the  second  living  child. 

The  town  in  which  Ira  was  born  is  located  on  the 
Mahoning  river,  near  the  west  boundary  of  the  county, 
and  about  four  miles  from  E"ew  Castle.  It  is  a 
neighborhood  of  rare  beauty  and  attractiveness  in  its 
natural  scenery,  forming  a  quiet,  retired  scene,  with 
a  home  look  for  which  the  country  about  it  is  noted. 


IRA  BAVID  SANIGEY. 


45 


It  was  directly  after  the  birth  of  Ira  when  the  family 
removed  to  the  farm  near  the  Harbor,  where  he  spent 
the  first  sixteen  years  of  his  life.  He  was  an  observ- 
ing little  fellow,  kept  his  eyes  wide  open  to  see  what 
was  going  on,  and  was  qnick  in  perceiving  a  fact  and 
I)rompt  in  accepting  it.  When  he  became  of  suitable 
age,  he  was  sent  to  the  district  school  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, where  he  made  good  progress  in  the  branches 
taught.  He  was  methodical  and  patient  in  his  studies, 
and  learned  thoroughly  whatever  was  given  liim, 
though  i^erhaps  not  as  rapidly  as  some  others  of  his 
age.  He  was  always  determined  to  get  to  the  bottom 
of  a  subject,  in  which  he  was  much  assisted  by  his 
natural  curiosity,  and  desire  not  to  be  excelled  by 
others.  He  received,  while  on  the  farm,  the  usual 
amount  of  school  privileges  which  fell  to  the  lot  of  boys 
and  girls  in  those  days.  He  worked  on  the  farm  and 
assisted  his  father  in  whatever  way  he  could,  when  not 
at  school,  and  was,  therefore,  not  unused  to  manual 
labor.  While  not  subjected  to  the  hardshii)s  and  i^riva- 
tions  of  many  of  his  associates,  yet  he  was  early 
trained  to  the  practical  experience  of  labor,  and  was 
thus  the  better  equipped  for  the  severe  work  of  life 
before  him. 

His  father  was  almost  continuously  in  public  life 
from  the  time  Ira  was  four  years  of  age  until  they  left 
the  farm,  and  was  often  absent  from  home,  during 
which  time,  Ira  was  very  useful  in  giving  help  on 
the  farm.  Young  as  he  was  in  the  early  i)olitical 
life  of  his  father,  he  was  old  enough  to  observe  that 
parties  in  politics  meant  something,  and,  Young 
America'^'-like,  he  was  a  partizan.  When  his  father 
was  elected  to  the  legislature  in  1844,  he  came  in,  one 
day  after  it  had  been  ascertained  that  Polk  was  elected 
President,  and  Ira,  full  of  the  fact  that  his  father  was 


46 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


in  the  conflict^  and  that  there  had  been  a  great  conflict^ 
asked  Pap,  is  Polk  elected  Being  informed  that 
such  was  the  case,  he  replied,  ^^well,  I  think  there 
must  be  a  great  many  Polk  people  around.''  He  had 
early  learned  that  a  man  could  be  easily  enough  elected 
to  office  if  he  had  enough  ^'people  around"  to  vote  for 
him. 

His  interest  in  the  politics  of  his  country  remained 
with  him,  and  there  was  not  a  young  man  in  his 
county  who  did  more  to  inculcate  republican  princi- 
ples among  the  people  than  he.  He  was  the  leader 
of  the  singing  clubs  at  the  formation  of  the  Eepublican 
party,  and  was  as  earnest  then  in  defending,  and  as 
aggressive  in  propagating,  what  he  believed  to  be  the 
best  principles  for  the  good  of  the  whole  people,  as  he 
is  now  in  his  religious  work. 

Ira  was  always  a  leader.  He  has  not  the  qualities 
that  would  make  Mm  successful  in  leadiug  in  ail  cases, 
perhaps,  but  he  has  the  faculty  of  inducing  people  to 
confide  in  him  and  follow  him,  so  long  as  he  is  satisfied 
that  he  is  right.  He  is  not  capable  of  a  mean  act,  and 
this  character  he  always  bore  among  his  early  asso- 
ciates and  playmates.  He  was  not  religiousl}^  inclined, 
but  was  of  pretty  much  the  same  spirit  and  stamp  as 
the  well  raised  boy  in  the  country. 

Fortunately  for  him,  he  was  never  governed  with 
rigid  religious  rules,  by  which  the  religious  life  of 
many  a  good  boy  has  been  deadened.  The  impression 
has  somehow  gained  that  his  father  was  puritanical  in 
his  household,  and  that  he  was  exceedingly  careful 
that  the  boys  should  not  whistle  or  do  other  uu seemly 
things  on  Sunday.  A  great  mistake  this.  While  he 
required  at  the  hands  of  his  children  proi:>er  conduct 
and  a  due  reverence  for  sacred  things,  he  was  not 
harsh  or  severe  in  matters  that  were  not  so  important. 


IBA  DAVID  SANKEY. 


47 


He  allowed  such  freedom  as  he  knew  would  develop  a 
noble  boyhood,  and  result  in  a  genuine  love  for  what- 
ever was  worth  regarding  as  sacred  and  holy. 

Ira  was  what  is  often  met  among  boys,  a  young 
fellow  with  a  broad  spirit  and  whole  soul,  who  loved 
fun  and  yet  avoided  evil.  He  was  full  of  life  and  en- 
ergy. Nothing  could  daunt  him  or  dismay  him.  He 
had  a  strong  will,  was  self-reliant,  and  possessed  of  a 
determination  to  do  whatever  he  undertook,  no  matter 
what  labor  or  attention  was  required  to  effect  it.  For 
this  reason  he  was  readily  accepted  by  the  other  boys 
as  a  leader  in  their  sports  and  schemes.  He  was  of 
good  constitution  and  a  great  deal  of  ambition,  which 
had  much  to  do  with  early  impressing  his  mind,  so 
that,  after  he  became  older,  he  was  well  qualified  to 
enter  upon  a  life  of  usefulness  and  honor.  One  of  his 
most  admirable  traits  of  character  was  his  truthfulness 
and  sense  of  honor.  He  could  always  be  trusted  in 
everything.  In  his  earliest  years  it  was  not  necessary 
to  watch  him  for  any  purpose }  did  he  but  give  his 
word,  nothing  more  was  needed.  This  had  a  restrain- 
ing influence  upon  him  when,  at  the  head  of  his  army 
of  boys,  he  was  bent  on  some  mischief.  He  would 
play  pranks,  but  not  at  the  expense  of  honor.  His 
frankness  and  courage,  with  his  truthfulness,  made 
him  a  pleasant  and  welcome  visitor  wherever  he  went. 
People  did  not  hold  him  off  at  arms'  length  long 
enough  to  see  whether  he  was  going  to  deceive  them, 
but  trusted  him  at  once. 

The  following  incident  is  related  of  him,  which  oc- 
curred when  he  was  about  eleven  years  of  age.  One 
evening  when  his  father  and  mother  were  away  from 
home,  he  was  about  leaving  the  house  to  go  to  a  neigh- 
bor's, but  having  forgotten  something  he  reentered  the 
house.    Upon  opening  a  door  into  one  of  the  rooms,  a 


48 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


great  volume  of  smoke  and  flame  burst  out.  A  servant 
girl  had  been  in  the  room  a  few  minutes  before  with  a 
lighted  candle,  and  had  unintentionally  set  fire  to  some 
curtainSj  and  had  left  the  room  and  closed  the  door.  Ira 
comprehended  the  situation  at  a  glance,  and  sounding 
an  alarm',  directed  his  younger  brothers  and  sister  to  go 
for  water.  He  then  immediately  rushed  into  the  room, 
tore  down  the  curtains  and  silk  dresses,  which  were  in 
flames,  and  stamped  out  the  fire,  which  had  almost 
got  beyond  his  control,  thus  saving  the  house  and  its 
contents.  When  his  father  and  mother  returned,  they 
found  that,  by  the  courage  and  self-possession  of  their 
boy,  their  home  had  been  saved. 

Ira  was  a  musician  from  his  boyhood.  He  could 
play  on  any  instrument,  from  a  jewsharp  to  a  piano. 
He  took  but  few  lessons  in  music,  and  yet  he  is  a  mu- 
sician of  no  ordinary  type.  If  at  any  time  he  chanced 
to  be  in  a  neighbor's  house  where  there  was  any  kind 
of  a  musical  instrument,  he  would  pounce  upon  it  and 
make  the  house  ring.  He  exercised  his  musical  facul- 
ties whenever  opportunity^  afforded,  and  attained  won- 
derful skill  in  their  use.  His  skill  in  playing  and 
singing  early  attracted  the  attention  of  his  parents, 
who  encouraged  his  efforts.  At  the  schools,  on  Sunday 
and  week  days,  his  voice  was  heard  among  the  rest, 
always  leading,  and  the  sweetest  and  purest  in  tone. 
He  never  forgot  tunes  that  he  once  heard,  but  they 
clung  to  him  until  he  was  possessed  of  all  he  had  heard. 
At  the  various  religious  services  which  he  attended 
with  his  father,  his  voice  could  be  heard  joining  with 
the  others  in  the  worship  of  God.  He  would  adapt 
tunes  of  his  own  making  to  the  songs  which  he 
learned,  and  thus  vary  the  monotony  of  singing  over 
those  he  alref^dy  knew,  though  he  did  not  compose 
music  until  after  he  arrived  at  manhood.    The  family 


IRA.  DAYID  SANKEY. 


49 


circle  was  enlivened  on  almost  all  occasions  by  the  im- 
promptu solo  singer,  who  was  irrepressible  on  this 
point.  He  had  a  young  brother,  Eddie  by  name,  who 
died  long  since,  who  was  also  full  of  music.  He  en- 
joyed hugely  Ira's  musical  performances,  and  one  day, 
when  about  four  years  old,  while  Ira  was  playing  a 
tune,  Eddie  stopped  short  in  one  of  his  plays  and 
shouted :  Hold  up,  Iry ;  hold  up,  till  I  get  my  boots 
on,''  and  in  a  short  time  was  ready  for  execution  by 
foot  of  any  right  lively  tune  the  young  musician  should 
see  ht  to  produce.  The  singing  of  lively,  cheerful 
songs  added  much  to  the  interest  of  many  a  country 
gathering,  where  the  young  folks  could  have  the  order 
of  exercises  all  to  themselves. 

Quite  early  in  life,  Ira  was  religiously  impressed, 
under  the  instructions  of  some  good  Christian  friends, 
and  the  example  and  precepts  of  his  parents.  His 
self-will  and  pride  would  not  i)ermit  him  to  openly 
acknowledge  the  convictions  of  his  heart;  but,  like 
many  another  one  similarly  situated,  he  endeavored  to 
hide  them  beneath  a  covering  of  apparent  unconcern 
and  carelessness.  In  his  sixteenth  year  he  attended  a 
series  of  meetings  being  held  in  the  neighborhood,  in 
the  old  King's  Chapel,  located  about  one  mile  east  of 
the  Harbor,  and  three  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Il^ew 
Castle.  It  was  a  sacred  spot,  hallowed  by  the  deeds 
of  early  Christian  laborers  ;  as  here  was  the  birthpl-ace 
of  Methodism  in  the  section  of  country  north  of  the 
Ohio  river,  the  first  class  being  organized  at  that 
place.  It  was  well  worthy  the  spiritual  birthplace  of 
such  a  noble  representative  of  Christian  teachers,  as 
the  youth  who  was  converted  in  these  meetings  has 
proved  to  be.  Ira  was  deeply  convicted  of  sin,  and 
fully  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  being  converted, 
but  he  was  determined  apparently  to    stout  it  out." 

3 


50 


MOODY  AKD  SANKEY. 


To  prove  his  total  unconcern  of  what  was  going  on  in 
the  meetings,  he  would  join  with  his  comrades  in  carry- 
ing on  an  undertone  conversation,  and  doing  whatever 
they  could  to  break  the  force  of  the  religious  services 
on  their  hearts.  He  was  approached  time  after  time 
by  the  members  of  the  cliurch,  and  earnestly  besought 
to  join  the  seekers  at  the  altar  of  prayer,  and  seek  the 
forgiveness  of  his  sins,  but  he  just  as  persistently 
declined  complying  with  the  request,  until  at  last  the 
power  of  resistance  was  broken,  and  he  was  soon 
found  at  the  altar,  an  earnest  and  humble  penitent, 
anxiously  inquiring  the  way  to  eternal  life. 

He  was  determined  now  in  his  efforts  to  become  a 
Christian,  and  it  was  not  many  days  until  he  came 
from  the  altar  happy  and  radiant  with  joy,  his  sweet 
voice  well  attuned  to  the  praise  of  God.  It  was  a 
genuine  and  thorough  conversion.  At  the  proper 
time  he  gave  his  name  to  the  pastor  of  the  church, 
Eev.  H.  H.  Moore,  then  and  now  a  member  of  the 
Erie  Annual  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

In  1857  the  family  removed  to  'Nevi'  Castle,  where 
the  father  assumed  the  presidency  of  a  bank,  and 
where  he  now  resides.  JJ]K>n  his  arrival  in  New 
Castle,  Ira  contiuued  to  prosecute  his  studies  in  the 
first  ward  school,  where  the  higher  branches  of  study 
were  taught  in  connection  with  the  ordinary  studies  of 
the  public  schools.  In  this  school  he  had  every 
advantage  that  is  found  in  almost  any  academy  in  the 
country.  Ever^^  opportunity  was  given  to  study  such 
of  the  higher  branches  as  the  pupil  might  have  a  taste 
for.  With  such  privileges  he  acquired  the  elements  of 
a  good  English  education,  and  was  quite  proficient  in 
some  branches  of  study.  By  reason  of  his  industrious 
habits,  and  Ms  desire  to  prepare  himself  for  the  duties 
of  life,  he  has  attained  considerable  knowledge^  and 


IRA  BAVID  SANKEY. 


51 


will  now  be  acknowledged  as  a  gentleman  of  fair  cul- 
ture and  good  attainments. 

He  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  located 
on  Jefferson  street,  where  he  became  one  of  the  most 
active  and  influential  members  in  it.  From  this  time 
he  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  learn  well  how  to 
perform  his  duty  as  a  Christian,  and  manhood  found  > 
him  more  than  ordinarily  capable  of  giving  a  rea- 
son for  the  faith  that  was  in  him.  He  took  great 
delight  in  the  services  of  the  Sunday  school,  where 
the  worth  of  his  singing  soon  became  appreciated, 
and  its  power  soon  felt  on  the  children.  He  acquired 
a  great  influence  over  the  little  folks,  who,  naturally 
enough,  regarded  him  as  a  special  friend  to  each  and 
every  one  of  them. 

By  reason  of  the  excellent  singing  and  other  inter- 
esting exercises  of  the  school,  it  soon  began  to  be  hinted 
around  town  that  this  was  the  Sunday  school  for  gen- 
uine progress  and  effective  labors,  where  the  time  could 
be  pleasantly  passed  in  enjoying  the  good  singing,  as 
well  as  in  learning  something  from  tffe  sacred  Oracles. 
The  school  grew  rapidly,  and  was  soon  increased  to 
large  numbers  of  children.  The  room  was  enlarged,  ^ 
and  one  of  the  good  brethren,  whose  purse  was  as  large 
as  his  heart,  said,  to  push  forward  the  work,  and  if  it 
became  necessary  to  enlarge  the  room  to  accommodate 
the  school,  that  they  would  knock  out  the  end  of  the 
church  and  extend  it. 

The  room  was  packed  Sunday  after  Sunday,  until 
many  were  compelled  to  stand  up,  and  presently  the 
aisles  and  hall  were  filled,  the  people  x^atiently  stand- 
ing to  hear  the  services.  E'o  doubt  God  was  blessing 
the  work,  and  it  was  also  true  that  He  was  blessing  the 
rich,  sweet  voice,  and  the  great  heart  of  the  boy  singer, 
who  was  attracting  scores  to  the  place  of  worship. 


62 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY, 


While  not  at  school  he  lived  with  his  father  at  their 
homestead  ill  West  'New  Castle,  a  most  delightful  place, 
located  on  a  high  bluff  overlooking  the  whole  of  JSTew 
Castle,  a  long  stretch  of  the  Shenango  valley,  and  a 
fine  view  of  the  Ueshannock. 

During  the  camj)aign  of  1860,  when  the  great 
contest  for  President  was  so  severely  fought,  Ira  was 
earnest  and  zealous  in  his  advocacy  of  the  i)rinciples 
he  deemed  to  be  correct.  He  was  leader  of  the  glee 
clubs  organized,  which  did  some  good  service,  and  gave 
him  prominence  among  x)eople  he  did  not  before  know. 

In  the  spring  of  1861,  when  the  black  cloud  of  war 
hung  over  the  country  and  threatened  to  obscure  the 
light  of  human  freedom,  he  was  engaged  at  work  on 
his  father's  place.  Preparations  for  war  were  being 
carried  forward  on  every  hand,  and  his  heart  was  fired, 
in  common  with  the  other  youth  of  his  country.  Liv- 
ing beneath  the  protection  of  his  country's  flag,  he  was 
willing  to  defend  it  if  duty  called.  When  the  blow 
was  actually  struck,  and  military  organizations  were 
springing  up  all  over  the  country,  ISTew  Castle  had  its 
share.  The  President  issued  his  call  for  75,000  volun- 
teers. Ira  at  once  joined  the  company  being  formed 
at  his  home,  which  was  the  first  to  leave  that  section 
of  the  State.  Thus  fully  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  he  went  cheerfully  to  the  performance  of  his 
new  duties,  and  was  enabled  in  his  short  term  of  ser- 
vice to  retain  untarnished  his  Christian  character. 
His  company  was  sent  to  Maryland  on  duty. 

In  the  camp  stated  religious  services  were  held,  and 
Mr.  Sankey  was  often  called  upon  to  lead  in  the  sing- 
ing. It  was  not  long  until  he  had  connected  with  him 
several  other  young  Christian  men  who  also  could  sing, 
and  in  comx)any  they  would  lead  the  voice  of  praise  in 
the  cami).    Their  services  were  highly  appreciated^, 


IRA  DAYID  SANKEY. 


53 


and  in  a  short  time  the  people  around  tliem  learned 
that  some  good  singers  were  in  the  Union  camp.  They 
were  invited  to  the  homes  of  some  of  the  families 
within  convenient  distance,  and  on  one  occasion  they 
were  invited  to  sing  at  the  house  of  a  very  wealthy 
Marylander,  who  had  heard  of  the  good  singing  of  the 
boys  in  blue."  Four  of  them  having  obtained  i)er- 
mission  from  their  commanding  officer,  accepted  the 
invitation  and  made  the  visit.  Ux)on  their  arrival  they 
were  shown  into  the  beautiful  parlor  of  this  wealthy 
family,  and  to  then*  surx3rise  they  found  it  filled  with 
a  party  of  ladies.  As  they  entered  they  observed  a 
smile  pass  over  the  faces  of  the  ladies,  who  contemptu- 
ously regarded  their  visitors.  This  was  a  damper  to 
the  boy  soldiers,  and  caused  them  to  feel  ill  at  ease  and 
out  of  place. 

In  order  to  relieve  the  embarrassment  which  had 
fallen  upon  them,  one  of  the  four  went  unbidden  to 
the  piano,  and  striking  a  few  chords,  the  clear  rich 
voice  of  Mr.  Sankey  broke  the  stillness,  and  he  was 
joined  by  the  other  three,  when  they  sang  some  of 
their  sacred  songs.  This  so  pleased  the  company 
present,  that  the  disfavor  with  which  they  were  at 
first  received  passed  away,  and  all  united  to  do  them 
honor.  When  they  were  ready  for  departure,  one  of 
the  gentlemen  declared  that  he  would  not  permit  them 
to  return  to  their  tents  alone,  and  with  his  faithful 
colored  guide,  escorted  them  a  distance  of  three  miles 
in  the  dark,  through  a  very  rugged  country,  to  their 
quarters.  The  soldiers  became  in  high  favor  with 
these  hospitable  Marylanders,  who  did  all  they  could 
to  show  their  regard  for  them.  The  three  months  of 
Mr.  Sankey's  service  were  too  short  to  develop  his 
talent  for  religious  work  among  the  soldiers  in  camp 
and  field.   His  extreme  youth  was  against  him  some- 


54 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY 


what,  but  it  is  no  doubt  true  that  he  did  considerable 
good  while  in  the  service.  His  cheerful  disposition 
and  kindly  manners  won  him  friends  wherever  he 
went.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  he  was 
honorably  mustered  out,  and  did  not  re-enter  it.  He 
settled  down  to  the  duties  which  lay  before  him  at 
home,  and  which  were  to  qualify  him  for  the  great  life 
work  upon  which  he  has  entered. 


CHAPTEE  V. 

In  September,  1862,  Mr.  Sankey  was  appointed  to 
a  position  in  the  internal  revenue  service  by  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Treasury,  which  he  held  under  three 
successive  administrations,  and  resigned  on  the  4th 
of  February,  1871.  It  was  during  his  official  connec- 
tion with  the  Government  that  the  writer  became 
acquainted  with  Mr.  Sankey,  both  working  at  the  same 
desk  in  'New  Castle  for  over  a  year;  and  where  he 
learned  much  of  the  character  and  excellent  qualities 
of  Mr.  Sankey. 

In  the  civil  service,  as  in  other  departments  of  labor, 
he  was  noted  for  conscientiousness,  and  patient,  faith- 
ful attention  to  duty.  In  his  rank  he  stood  first  in  the 
district,  and  had  the  entire  confidence  of  all  the  offi- 
cers and  tax-x)ayers  with  whom  he  had  official  dealings. 
His  superiors  in  office  regarded  him  as  one  of  the  most 
prompt,  correct,  and  reliable  officers  they  had,  and 
they  were  always  ready  to  accord  to  him  the  honor  of 
a  faithful  public  servant.  In  his  long  connection  with 
the  service,  there  were  never  known  any  irregularities 
in  his  accounts,  or  any  loss  to  the  Government.  He 
never  took  advantage  of  his  office  to  his  own  gain  or 
preferment,  but  faithfully  and  honestly  cared  for  the 
interests  of  the  Government.    On  this  account  he  left 


IRA  DAYID  SANKEY. 


55 


the  service  with  honor^  and  with  the  regret  of  those 
who  were  associated  with  him. 

He  also  found  favor  with  the  i)eople  of  the  district, 
whose  business  demanded  his  official  supervision.  He 
purposed  at  one  time  to  re-enter  the  army,  and  give 
his  services  to  his  country ;  but  from  every  quarter  all 
the  tax-payers  who  had  official  relations  with  him  sent 
in  urgent  remonstrances  against  his  retirement  from 
the  civil  service,  and  he  was  constrained  to  remain  in 
this  department  of  the  Government,  where  his  services 
were  so  greatly  in  demand. 

On  the  9th  of  September,  1863,  Mr.  Sankey  was 
married  to  Miss  Fannie  V.  Edwards,  a  young  lady 
teacher  of  JSTew  Castle,  and  a  member  of  his  choir  in 
the  church.  Miss  Edwards  was  one  of  the  most  faith- 
ful attendants  in  the  choir,  lending  a  decided  charm 
to  the  excellent  singing  of  his  corps  of  singers.  Her 
father,  Hon.  John  Edwards,  was  a  prominent  man  in 
the  Jefferson  street  church,  holding  a  license  as  local 
l^reacher,  which  office  he  discharged  with  great  fidelity 
and  acceptability.  His  preaching  gave  good  satisfac- 
tion to  the  people  of  'New  Castle,  and  he  was  fre- 
quently called  upon  to  fill  the  puli)it.  He  was 
twice  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  legislature,  without 
any  solicitation  whatever  on  his  part.  He  was  presented 
as  a  candidate  by  the  workingmen,  with  whose  inter- 
ests he  was  closely  identified,  and  their  votes  mainly 
elected  him.  He  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  legislature,  and  on  account  of  his  good 
character  and  positive  Christian  bearing  he  was  chosen 
chaplain  of  the  House  of  which  he  was  a  member. 

Mrs.  Sankey  is  well  educated,  and  is  a  lady  of  a 
high  order  of  intelligence.  She  is  a  good  conversa- 
tionalist, instructive  and  pleasing,  and,  like  Mr. 
Sankey,  is  i)ossessed  of  an  element  of  cheerfulness 


56 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


and  lairthfulness  that  give  a  charm  and  piquancy  to 
her  conversation.  Added  to  this,  she  is  a  patient. 
Christian  woman,  with  sufficient  lieroism  to  admirably 
fit  her  for  the  position  in  which  she  is  placed.  When 
Mr.  Sankey  decided  to  join  Mr.  Moody  in  evangelistic 
work,  for  a  little  while  the  suddenness  and  unexpect- 
edness of  the  move  discomposed  her,  but  she  soon 
gave  her  cordial  assent  to  the  work.  Since  that  time, 
she  has  been  as  earnest  and  faithful  as  could  be  de- 
sired in  encouraging  Mr.  Sankey  in  his  labors.  Per- 
haps the  highest  compliment  that  can  be  paid  her  is, 
that  she  has  always  been  a  faithful  and  true  heljjer  to 
her  husband,  an  attentive  mother,  caring  for  the  least 
wants  of  her  children,  and  an  earnest  Christian  woman, 
accepting  the  dispensations  of  Providence  with  cheer- 
fulness, believing  all  to  be  for  the  best.  They  have 
three  very  promising  children,  all  boys,  aged  eleven, 
six,  and  one  year  respectively.  The  youngest  was 
born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  while  the  evangelists 
were  holding  meetings  in  Great  Britain. 

As  already  narrated,  the  most  effective  work  done 
by  Mr.  Sankey,  while  in  'New  Castle,  was  iu  the  Sun- 
day school.  Under  his  charge  the  school  had  grown 
to  be  very  large,  having  a  regular  attendance  of  about 
three  hundred  and  fifty  scholars,  besides  the  officers 
and  teachers.  He  was  accustomed  to  train  the  chil- 
dren regularly  in  singing.  On  Sunday  afternoon  he 
would  gather  them  into  the  audience-room  of  the 
church,  and  seat  them  in  and  around  the  place  set 
aside  for  the  choir.  Here,  with  his  organist,  and  him- 
self as  leader,  he  would  give  a  service  of  song  for  the 
edification  of  the  members  of  the  church,  and  such 
friends  as  chose  to  attend.  These  were  wonderfully 
interesting  meetings,  the  singing  exceeding  anything 
which  the  people  had  been  permitted  to  hear.  Crowds 


IRA  DAVID  SANKEY. 


57 


of  people  would  listen  to  the  sweet  songs  and  choruses, 
many  of  them  weeping  from  very  joy,  as  the  delightful 
strains  touched  their  hearts.  The  remark  of  one  good 
brother,  who  attended  these  services,  was  descriptive 
of  the  feelings  of  the  others.  Said  he,  ^'I  never  expect 
to  hear  such  sweet,  i^recious  singing,  until  I  am  per- 
mitted  to  hear  the  songs  of  the  redeemed  in  heaven.'^ 

These  meetings  were  kept  up  at  intervals,  and  had 
great  power  in  arousing  a  feeling  of  interest  among 
the  people  and  children  in  the  work  of  the  church.  It 
was  generally  accepted  as  true,  that  a  powerful  impe- 
tus was  given  to  the  revival  work  in  the  school, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  Mr.  Sankey's  singing. 

Mr.  Sankey  was  also  a  more  than  average  teacher. 
By  his  singing,  and  pleasant  treatment  of  the  children, 
he  gained  their  entire  confidence.  Having  such  an 
advantage,  it  was  a  comparatively  easy  matter  to  im- 
press their  minds  and  lead  them  to  the  acceptance  of 
the  truth.  He  succeeded  in  winning  the  little  ones, 
which  partly  accounted  for  the  large  membership  of 
the  church,  and  the  number  of  young  people  who  were 
in  it.  He  was  emphatically  a  man  of  great  works  in 
this  respect,  and  many  can  testify  that  his  labors  in 
that  Sunday  school  were  the  means  of  leading  them  to 
a  religious  life. 

But  his  singing  in  the  school  produced  another 
happy  result.  It  attracted  the  stranger  boys  who 
visited  the  town,  and  led  them  under  Christian  influ- 
ence. There  were  many  of  that  class  of  persons  in 
the  town,  and  most  of  them  who  went  into  a  Sunday 
school  at  all  were  drawn  to  his  school,  simply  because 
they  found  an  element  of  attraction  in  it. 

It  was  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  the  brethren 
would  sometimes  be  endowed  with  tongues  of  fire,  and 
between  the  tender  singing,  and  a  pathetic  burning 

3* 


58 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


speech,  tlie  whole  audience,  children  and  all,  would  be 
melted  to  tears.  This  was  often  the  case,  as  many  can 
testify.  Mr.  Sankey  was  elected  Superintendent  of  the 
school,  and  held  that  office  for  some  years.  Having 
thus  the  entire  control  of  affairs,  and  the  assistance  of 
the  best  Christian  workers  in  the  church,  he  prospered 
beyond  his  most  sanguine  expectations. 

The  school  grew  mightily,  and  at  times  the  word 
would  go  out  that  the  Jefferson  street  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Sunday  School  was  enjoying  a  season  of  refresh- 
ing, and  that  God  was  converting  the  children.  Mr. 
Sankey  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  work  of  bringing 
children  to  Christ  early — it  had  been  the  case  with 
him,  and  the  object  of  all  his  teaching  and  singing  was, 
that  the  smallest  and  youngest  of  his  scholars  might 
be  brought  to  the  Saviour,  and  in  this  work  he  was 
most  abundantly  blessed. 

The  severance  of  his  connection  with  the  school  was 
a  sad  blow  to  the  teachers  and  children,  and  it  was 
hard  for  them  to  be  reconciled  to  such  a  breaking 
asunder  of  the  ties  that  bound  them  together.  As  show- 
ing the  regard  they  had  for  him,  we  give  in  full  a 
letter  addressed  to  him  by  the  school,  while  he  was  in 
Great  Britain.    It  is  as  follows: 

Newcastle,  Pa.,  June  21,  1874. 
At  the  morning  session  of  the  Sunday  school  of  the 
M.  E.  Church  of  New  Castle,  Pa.,  the  following  paper 
was  read  by  the  Secretary :  Whereas,  our  former 
Superintendent  and  brother,  Ira  D.  Sankey,  who  took 
leave  of  us  one  year  ago  for  a  European  tour,  has 
been  for  months  past  charming  the  ears  and  melt- 
ing the  hearts  of  the  multitudes  who  throng  to  hear 
him  and  his  worthy  coadjutor,  as  they  go  forth  singing 
and  talking  of  the  ^  Saviour  who  is  Christ  the  Lord  f  and 
whereas,  we  learn  our  honored  citizen,  David  Sankey, 


IRA  DAYID  SANKEY. 


59 


Esq.,  is  about  to  visit  his  son  in.  Scotland,  to  convey  to 
him  his  good  wife  and  their  precious  "boys ;  therefore, 
we  deem  ifc  befitting  and  i)roper  for  us  to-day,  as  we 
are  assembled  in  our  accustomed  place,  to  express  to 
our  dear  friend  and  Christian  brother  assurances  of 
continued  regard  and  esteem  for  him  personally,  as 
well  as  warmest  sympathy  for  the  cause  he  so  gloriously 
advocates,  and  to  re-assure  him  we  have  not  forgotten 
our  promise  to  pray  for  him  during  his  absence.  And 
furthermore  we  read  with  pleasure  and  deepest  interest 
the  accounts  of  the  wonderful  manifestations  of  Divine 
power  attending  his  labors,  and  beg  to  say,  whenever, 
in  the  order  of  Providence  he  shall  return  to  his  native 
shores,  we  will  welcome  him  most  gladly  to  our  hearts 
and  homes,  and  join  with  him  as  never  before  in  sing- 
ing praises  unto  Him  *^who  hath  redeemed  us  and 
washed  us  in  His  own  blood.'  Approved  and  ordered 
to  be  forwarded,  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  32G  scholars, 
30  officers  and  teachers,  and  50  visitors  and  friends 
present. 

^^Oyrxjs  Clarke,  GEORaE  C.  Eeis, 

Sec^y.  JSupV^ 

Mr.  Sankey's  work  in  the  church  was  no  less  effect- 
ive than  that  in  the  Sunday  school.  His  first  services 
in  the  congregation  were  in  the  choir.  He  soon  became 
leader  of  it,  and  was  very  successful  in  conducting  it. 
He  had  the  happy  faculty  of  keeping  down  dissensions, 
and  the  usual  hindrances  to  successful  work  in  bodies 
•of  this  kind.  He  trained  his  choir,  which  was  a  very 
large  one,  to  lead  the  congregation  in  singing,  and  not 
to  monopolize  that  i)art  of  the  service  to  themselves. 

The  singing  of  the  choir  had  a  i^owerful  effect  on 
the  congregations,  and  there  can  be.  no  doubt  that  many 
persons  owed  their  first  religious  imx3ressions  to  the 


60 


MOODY  AND  SANKET. 


"singing  of  tlie  Gospel,^'  which  it  was^  in  all  that  con- 
stitutes that  term.  Mr.  Sankey  endeavored  to  have 
all  his  singers  enunciate  every  word  so  distinctly  that 
it  could  be  heard  in  every  part  of  the  room.  The  result 
of  this  was  that  every  hymn  was  so  jDlainly  sung  that 
each  word  was  as  distinctly  heard  as  if  read  from  the 
pulpit.  The  qualities  of  his  singing  that  are  now 
charming  the  world,  were  those  he  carried  out  in  his 
church  singing.  In  the  latter,  however,  it  was  the 
work  of  hut  one  day  in  the  week,  as  his  week  days  were 
necessarily  occupied  in  his  labors  in  the  civil  service, 
^^ow  that  he  has  devoted  himself  wholly  to  the  work, 
it  is  shown  what  a  good  voice,  earnest  Christian  heart, 
and  pleasant,  agreeable  manners  can  do,  when  used  in 
the  service  of  God  without  anything  to  distract. 

To  show  that  Mr.  Sankey's  talents  were  appreciated 
away  from  home  in  his  youth,  place  is  given  to  the  fol- 
lowing, from  the  pen  of  Eev.  Alexander  Clark,  a  prom- 
inent Protestant  Methodist  minister,  and  the  able  editor 
of  the  Methodist  Recorder : 

"  During  our  first  pastorate  at  Kew  Brighton,  Pa., 
in  1862,  a  fine-looking  young  man  from  New  Castle  used 
to  come  down  occasionally  and  sing  with  our  choir. 
He  always  brought  sunshine  in  his  face,  and  made  music 
in  the  souls  of  all  with  whom  he  mingled.  He  sang 
like  a  Christian,  and  he  seemed  entirely  free  from  the 
petty  envies  which  too  commonly  croj)  out  in  choirs 
and  thrust  discord  over  the  communion  of  the  church. 
There  was  a  frankness  in  his  countenance  and  a  zeal 
in  his  tone  and  manner  which  enlisted  the  confidence 
of  all  with  whom  he  associated.  Afterward,  we  met 
our  friend  at  iJ^ew  Castle,  and  elsewhere,  and  found  him 
always  the  same  warm-souled  Christian.  He  loved 
music,  and  used  it  as  he  moved  among  the  people, 
simply,  religiously,  and  as  a  Gospel  gift.    His  power 


IRA  BAYID  SANKEY. 


61 


in  the  churcli  to  which  he  belonged  was  equal  to  that 
of  the  pastor,  and  his  life  was  one  of  harmony  and 
peace.  The  children  clustered  around  hiin  when  he 
sang,  and  tears  of  joy  attested  the  spirit  which  accom- 
panied the  service.  And  so  we  do  not  wonder  at  all 
that  this  same  young  man,  now  in  the  maturity  of 
middle  life,  endowed  with  a  special  gift  from  heaven, 
is  so  blessed  in  singing  salvation  to  the  masses  in 
Great  Britain.  We  feel  honored  to  number  Brother 
Sankey,  who  is  the  fellow-worker  with  Brother  Moody, 
as  our  personal  and  beloved  friend.*' 

In  the  prayer  meeting  he  was  fully  as  efficient  as  in 
the  public  congregation.  The  noon-day  prayer  meet- 
ings that  are  so  efficient  in  the  services  of  the  evangel- 
ists, give  an  idea  of  what  Mr.  Sankey  was  capable  in 
this  respect.  The  prayer  meetings  which  he  attended 
seldom  lagged.  A  soul-stirring  hymn  full  of  love  and 
mercy,  or  a  verse  from  a  favorite  Sunday  school  song, 
would  give  new  life  and  zeal  to  any  meeting  which 
showed  signs  of  dragging. 

He  was  appointed  class  leader  in  the  church  not  long 
after  his  removal  to  New  Castle,  where  he  did  some  of 
the  most  effective  work  of  his  early  life.  The  class  met 
each  Sunday  directly  after  the  morning  service,  and 
was  composed  of  a  large  number  of  men,  women,  and 
young  people,  the^  large  class  room  always  being  filled 
at  each  service.  Mr.  Sankey  always  felt  the  responsi- 
bility of  this  office,  and  made  use  of  every  means  in 
his  power  to  qualify  himself  for  its  solemn  duties.  He 
was  a  good  leader,  and  never  failed  to  make  his  meet- 
ings interesting.  He  was  always  cheerful,  and  let  no 
opportunity  escape  to  infus6  an  element  of  joyousness 
and  life  in  the  services.  He  endeavored  to  discard  the 
stereotyped  x^hrases  of  the  class  room,  and  to  substitute 
live  conversation  and  questions,  or  some  quotation  of 


62 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


Scripture  that  would  suggest  thoughts  to  the  minds  of 
those  present,  and  thus  lead  to  a  variety  of  expressions 
relating  to  the  experience  of  each. 

His  singing  gave  him  a  decided  advantage  in  these 
meetings,  as,  when  a  lull  occurred,  or  the  meeting 
became  dull,  he  would  sing  a  verse  of  a  song,  and 
break  the  dullness  and  dispel  the  gloom.  It  was 
expect(!d  in  these  experience  meetings  that  each  mem- 
ber would  be  profited,  and  it  was  not  an  uncommon 
occurrence  that  all  present  would  be  melted  to  tears 
under  the  gracious  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 
Mr.  Sankey  was  desirous  of  using  the  Bible  as  much 
as  possible  in  giving  counsel  to  his  class,  or  in  relating 
experiences  J  and  considerable  profit  was  derived  from 
this  plan  of  conducting  the  meetings. 

In  the  revival  work  of  the  church  Mr.  Sankey  was 
very  effective.  His  work  was  done  in  a  quiet,  unde- 
monstrative way,  but  it  was  deep.  He  always  led  the 
singing,  and  as  he  stood  at  the  altar  and  sang  some  of 
the  glorious  old  hymns  of  the  church,  the  whole  congre- 
gation would  join  in,  and  the  impression  made  could 
not  be  other  than  profound.  His  influence  outside  of 
the  church  was  great,  but  has  never  been  fully  known, 
because  of  the  unostentatious  and  quiet  way  in  which 
he  worked.  Here  and  there,  at  the  proper  time,  as 
occasion  offered,  a  word  would  be  dropped  to  some 
one  who  was  either  under  some  conviction,  or  was 
being  led  by  the  spirit  to  consider  the  duty  of  giving 
his  heart  to  God.  Many  instances  might  be  related 
of  the  good  done  by  him  in  this  way,  but  are  not  con- 
sidered necessary. 

Mr.  Sankey's  labors  in  this  church  were  unremitting 
so  long  as  he  remained  in  the  town,  and  his  services 
were  appreciated  by  all  who  were  in  the  church. 
When  his  connection  with  Mr.  Moody  rendered  it 


IRA  DAVID  SANKBY. 


03 


necessary  for  liim  to  leave  his  old  liomej  there  was 
sincere  regret  expressed  among  his  brethren,  arid 
their  fervent  prayers  went  with  him. 

In  1867,  representatives  from  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  of  Pittsburgh  went  to  ISTew 
Castle  and  held  a  convention,  the  object  of  which  was 
to  organize  a  branch  of  the  Association  at  that  place. 
The  branch  was  organized,  and  Mr.  Sankey  became 
one  of  its  most  efficient  and  active  workers.  On  the 
4th  of  April,  1870,  he  was  elected  President  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  of  the  Association  in  l^ew  Castle, 
of  which  he  had  been  Secretary  for  some  time.  He 
was  now  head  and  front  of  it,  and  was  active  in  every 
good  word  and  work. 

On  June  13,  1870,  he  was  appointed  delegate  to  the 
International  Convention  of  the  Association,  to  be 
held  at  Indianax)olis,  Indiana,  the  same  month.  There 
for  the  first  time  he  met  with  Mr.  Moody,  at  an  early 
morning  prayer  meeting  which  was  led  by  Mr.  Moody, 
and  though  held  at  seven  o'clock  was  quite  crowded. 
Mr.  Sankey,  with  a  friend,  took  a  seat  in  the  meeting. 
The  services  were  not  very  animating,  mainly  on 
account  of  the  slow  and  dragging  manner  in  which 
the  singing  was  conducted.  The  leader  of  the  singing 
was  a  very  excellent  old  gentleman,  but  his  style  of 
singing  was  not  suited  for  a  meeting  of  that  kind,  but 
was  dull,  and  not  in  the  least  interesting.  Seeing  the 
necessity  for  a  change  in  this  part  of  the  worship,  Mr. 
Sankey's  friend  urged  upon  him  to  take  the  lead, 
which  he  agreed  to  do  when  a  suitable  opportunity 
should  offer.  He  took  hold  of  it  with  spirit,  and  the 
first  hymn  started  by  him  was  the  grand  old  Chris- 
tian song,  "  There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood," 
etc.,  when  the  whole  assembly  joined  heartily  in  the 
singing.   The  meeting  was  thus  lifted  out  of  the  dull- 


64 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


ness  into  which  it  had  fallen,  and  closed  with  great 
satisfaction  to  all  present.  At  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing Mr.  Sankey's  friend  said  to  him,  '^let  me  introduce 
you  to  Mr,  Moody.'^  The  introduction  took  place,  and 
instead  of  using  the  ordinary  salutations  on  such  occa- 
sions, Mr.  Moody^s  first  words  were,  Where  do  you 
liveV^  ^^Are  you  married  What  business  are 
you  in?'^  ^^How  many  chiklren  have  you^'^  These 
interrogatories  were  properly  answered  by  Mr.  San- 
keyj  when,  looking  him  steadily  in  the  eye  for  a 
moment,  this  blunt  man,  in  his  short,  emphatic  way 
said,  I  want  you.^' 
What  for 

"  To  help  me  in  my  work  at  Chicago.^' 

"I  cannot  leave  my  business,"  replied  the  now 
astonished  singer. 

You  must,  I  have  been  looking  for  you  for  the  last 
eight  years.  You  must  give  up  your  business  and 
come  to  Chicago  with  me,^'  was  the  rather  stunning 
reply. 

Thus  commenced  the  acquaintance,  friendship,  and 
work  of Moody  and  Sankey.'^  They  held  a  meeting 
together  in  the  open  air  in  Indianapolis,  which  was 
greatly  blessed,  from  which  they  concluded  that  God 
would  bless  their  labors  together. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Prior  to  Mr.  Sankey's  meeting  with  Mr.  Moody, 
he  had  considerable  experience  in  evangelistic  work, 
in  addition  to  singing  at  conventions  and  Sunday 
School  Institutes,  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Eastern  Ohio.  In  connection  with  Mr.  K.  A. 
Burnell  of  Illinois,  Eev.  John  Morrow,  and  others  of 


IRA  DAVID  SANKEY. 


65 


the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  he  made  a  tour  through  his  native  State, 
visiting  nearly  all  its  large  cities,  holding  meetings 
from  two  to  four  days  in  a  place.  This  tour  lasted 
twenty-seven  days,  Mr.  Sankey  singing  at  three  or 
four  meetings  each  day,  and  much  of  the  time  at 
meetings  in  the  open  air.  His  voice  held  out  until 
the  last  meeting  of  the  tour,  which  was  held  at  York, 
Pa.;  but  after  going  on  to  Washington  the  next  day, 
to  attend  a  national  convention  of  the  Association,  he 
found  his  voice  entirely  gone.  After  a  day  or  two  of 
rest  it  returned,  and  he  has  been  singing  at  least  three 
times  a  day  in  large  meetings  for  the  last  two  years, 
and  his  voice  seems  to  be  growing  stronger  instead  of 
wearing  out. 

In  the  spring  of  1871,  Mr.  Sankey  joined  Mr.  Moody 
in  Chicago,  having  become  deeply  impressed  that  the 
Lord  had  a  work  for  him  to  do,  and  that  the  union  of 
Mr.  Moody's  pointed  speaking,  and  his  earnest  sing- 
ing, would  be  honored  by  the  Lord  in  winning  many 
souls  to  Himself.  Together  they  commenced  the  work, 
visiting  the  poor  and  needy  ones  of  Mr.  Moody's  little 
flock,  singing  and  praying  with  the  sick;  speaking 
and  singing  at  the  daily  noon  prayer  meeting  in 
Chicago,  and  other  similar  work,  until  the  great  fire 
which  devastated  the  city  October  9,  1871,  which 
burned  their  church,  and  the  home  of  every  member 
of  the  society. 

'Mr.  Sankey  led  the  singing  in  Mr.  Moody's  church, 
in  the  same  manner  as  he  does  now,  using  a  small 
cabinet  organ,  and  leading  the  congregational  singing. 
He  always  sang  some  appropriate  solo  immediately 
before  the  sermon.  They  held  a  meeting  every  Sun- 
day evening  in  the  Association  Hall,  where  Mr.  San- 
key sang  alone  at  each  service^  and  had  the  assistance 


66 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


at  the  other  meetings  of  a  small  choir  of  trained  voices. 
The  last  song  that  he  sang  in  the  beautiful  hall  before 
it  was  consumed  by  the  October  fire,  was  at  the  close 
of  an  address  by  Mr.  Moody.  The  singing  was  inter- 
rupted by  the  alarm  of  fire,  at  the  close  of  the  follow- 
ing verse : 

"  To-day  the  Saviour  calls, 
For  refuge  fly ; 
The  storm  of  justice  falls 
And  death  is  nigh." 

Soon  after  getting  out  of  the  hall  where  the  meeting 
was  held  that  night,  Mr.  Sankey  went  to  the  West 
Side  of  the  city  to  see  the  fire  5  and  very  soon  witness- 
ing the  terrible  progress  it  w^as  making  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  everything  before  it,  he  concluded  that  the 
city  would  be  burned,  and  ran  back  to  his  office  to 
pack  up  his  movables.  Emx)loying  several  men  to 
assist  him  he  succeeded  in  getting  them  out  of  the 
building  on  to  the  street,  but  they  were  soon  covered 
with  other  goods  of  every  description,  which  were 
tumbled  into  the  streets  from  almost  every  door,  and 
all  consumed  together.  Seeing  the  flames  rapidly 
approaching,  Mr.  Sankey,  with  one  trunk  and  satchel, 
made  his  way  to  the  Lake  and  after  much  suffering 
from  dust,  fire  and  thirst,  the  supply  of  water  being 
cut  off  by  the  fire,  he  succeeded  in  getting  a  small 
boat  in  which  he  made  his  way  out  upon  the  Lake, 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  flames,  and  where  there  was 
pure  clear  water. 

Here  he  remained  four  or  five  hours,  witnessing  the 
heart-rending  scene  before  him,  the  burning  of  a  great 
city,  and  the  consequent  distress  and  suffering  of  its 
people.  After  long  and  hard  pulling  at  the  oars 
against  the  waves,  for  they  were  running  high,  he  made 
a  distance  of  two  miles  up  the  lake,  where,  in  the  after- 


IRA  DAVID  SANKEY. 


61 


noou  of  that  day,  lie  effected  a  landing  in  his  little 
craft.  He  was  fortunate  enough  to  secure  the  services 
of  a  drayman  upon  landing,  to  take  him  to  the  end  of 
the  railroad,  leading  East. 

Feeling  confident  that  it  would  be  quite  imx)0ssible 
for  him  to  find  any  of  his  friends  that  evening,  he  con- 
cluded to  leave  for  his  home  at  'New  Castle,  Pa.,  where, 
fortunately  for  him  and  them,  he  had  left  his  family, 
joining  them  safely  the  next  day. 

On  his  way  East,  he  telegraphed  Mr.  Moody  that, 
whenever  he  was  ready  to  hold  any  more  meetings,  to 
let  him  know  and  he  would  rejoin  him.  During  the  time 
which  elapsed  between  the  burning  of  Chicago  and 
the  return  of  Mr.  Sankey  to  that  city  to  engage  in  his 
former  labors,  he  gave  a  number  of  evenings  of  sacred 
song  in  different  towns  and  cities,  in  aid  of  churches 
and  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  He  al- 
ways had  crowded  houses,  and  gave  great  satisfaction 
wherever  he  sang  while  thus  en  gaged.  □ 

In  January,  1872,  Mr.  Sankey  received  a  dispatch 
from  Mr.  Moody,  saying,  Come  at  once.''  He  com- 
plied with  the  request  of  his  friend  at  once,  and  joined 
him  again  as  a  co-laborer  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 
They  worked  together  day  and  night,  sleeping  to- 
gether in  one  corner  of  the  new  Tabernacle,"  without 
anything  for  a  bed,  other  than  a  single  lounge  and  a 
table,  made  of  pine  boards,  and  not  unfrequently  the 
fierce  j)rairie  winds  would  blow  the  drifting  snow  into 
their  bed  room. 

On  October  17, 1872,  Mr.  Sankey  removed  his  family 
to  Chicago,  remaining  there  until  May,  1873.  Mr, 
Moody  went  on  his  second  trip  to  Eurox)e  in  this  year, 
leaving  Mr.  Sankey  in  charge  of  the  Tabernacle  and 
its  congregation.  Associated  with  him  were  such  men 
as  B.  F.  Jacobs,  Major  Whittle,  who  has  since  devoted 


68 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


liimself  wholly  to  evangelistic  work^  Eev.  M.  M.  Park- 
hurst,  and  members  of  the  churchy  who  kept  up  the 
interest  in  the  meetings,  and  the  work  of  the  church, 
until  Mr.  Moody  returned.  There  were  conversions  in 
the  church  and  Sunday  school,  every  week  during  Mr. 
Moody's  absence. 

A  short  time  before  the  Evangelists  went  to  Europe, 
they  accepted  an  invitation  to  go  and  hold  some  special 
religious  services  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  which  were 
attended  with  great  blessing.  Mr.  Sankey  has  been 
heard  to  say,  in  speaking  of  these  Springfield  meetings, 
^'Indeed,  it  seemed  that,  if  wa  had  remained  and 
worked  thus  in  our  own  country,  a  great  revival  would 
have  taken  place.'' 

About  this  time,  Mr.  Sankey's  friend,  Phillip  Phillips, 
returned  from  Europe,  where  he  had  been  singing  for 
one  hundred  nights  in  succession.  He  went  to  Chicago, 
and,  while  stopping  with  Mr.  Sankey,  made  him  a  very 
enticing  offer,  including  a  large  salary  and  all  expenses 
paid,  if  he  would  go  at  once  with  him  to  the  Pacific 
coast,  and  assist  him  in  his  service  of  song.  Mr. 
Sankey  would  not  promise  anything  until  he  had  con- 
sulted his  friend,  Mr.  Moody,  who,  at  that  time,  was 
away  in  the  South.  Upon  his  return,  they  spent  some 
hours  in  consultation  and  prayer  over  the  matter,  the 
result  of  which  was,  that  Mr.  Sankey  concluded  to 
remain  with  Mr.  Moody,  and  accompany  him  on  an 
evangelizing  tour  beyond  the  sea. 

Mr.  Sankey  had  been  in  the  habit,  for  many  years 
before  he  went  to  Great  Britain,  of  collecting,  and  pre- 
serving in  a  scrap  book,  such  hymns  and  sacred  songs 
as  seemed  to  him  specially  adapted  to  evangelistic 
work,  and  such  as  he  could  sing  with  the  greatest 
effect  in  such  work.  These  he  took  with  him  to  Great 
Britain,  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  intended,  which  he 


IRA  DAVID  SANKEY. 


69 


sang  as  solos  on  proper  occasions.  For  the  congrega- 
tional singing  lie  used  a  very  fine  collection  of  liymns, 
published  in  London. 

The  demand  for  the  sacred  songs  and  solos,  as  sung 
by  Mr.  Sankey,  became  so  great  and  so  urgent  that 
they  had  to  be  i)ublished  to  meet  it.  'No  collection  of 
hymns  ever  before  printed  reached  such  a  large  sale 
as  did  these.  Mr.  J.  B.  T.  Marsh,  of  Chicago,  visiting 
in  Chester,  England,  wrote  the  following  (December 
8th,  1875)  about  the  song  books  and  Mr.  Sankey's 
work : 

^Nothing  is  more  astonishing,  however,  than  the 
circulation  which  the  little  collection  of  hymns  and 
tunes,  compiled  and  used  by  Mr.  Sankey  has  attained. 
One  meets  them  everywhere :  at  morning  worship  in 
families,  in  prayer  meetings,  Sunday  schools,  street 
services,  and  even  alongside  the  denominational 
hymn  book  in  some  of  the  churches.  The  words 
alone,  in  their  cheaper  form,  sell  for  a  penny  a  copy; 
the  words  and  music  for  sixpence.  The  publishers 
announce  that  over  three-and-a-half  million  copies 
were  sold  during  the  first  six  months  of  1875.  IsTo  one 
who  has  not  heard  the  indescribable  psalmody  of  Scot- 
land, and  Ireland  especially,  can  realize  what  a  change 
there  has  been  in  the  life  and  glow  of  religious  meet- 
ings since  Mr.  Sankey  came  over  here  on  his  singing 
iliission.  Cabinet  organs,  even,  have  found  their  way 
into  some  churches  in  these  two  countries,  where  three 
years  ago  they  would  have  found  no  more  favor  than 
a  violin  in  a  Quaker  meeting-house. 

The  two  most  popular  hymns  sung  by  Mr.  Sankey 
in  Great  Britain  were,  Jesus  of  l^azareth  passeth 
by,"  and  The  Mnety  and  Mne."  The  martial  song, 
^^Hold  the  Fort,''  also  became  very  popular  as  a  con- 
gregational hymn.    It  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of 


70 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


Christian  workers  in  hundreds  of  cases,  that  the  sing- 
ing of  these    Song  Sermons has  been  blessed  to  the  * 
awakening  of  souls  to  their  lost  condition. 

One  of  the  first  instances  of  a  conversion  under  the 
singing  took  place  in  Philadelphia^  some  time  before 
Mr.  Sankey  went  to  England.  Mr.  Moody  was  holding 
meetings  in  that  city,  and  not  liking  the  singing  which 
he  had,  he  telegraphed  to  Mr.  Sankey,  who  was  in 
Chicago,  to  come  on  and  assist  him.  He  went  to  the 
meetings  at  once,  and  with  a  cabinet  organ  led  the 
singing  with  so  much  feeling  and  spirit  that  there  were 
no  more  complaints  from  Mr.  Moody.  At  the  conclu- 
sion of  one  of  the  meetings  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the 
beautiful  hymn,  '^Almost  persuaded,''  when  a  gentle- 
man came  up  to  him  and  said,  While  you  were  sing- 
ing I  surrendered  to  Christ,  and  now  am  altogether 
X)ersuaded  to  be  a  Christian.  Pray  for  me  that  I  may 
never  turn  back." 

Hundreds  of  instances  might  be  given  from  the 
published  reports  of  the  work  in  Great  Britain,  where 
the  singing  of  Jesus  of  Kazareth  passeth  by,"  and 
other  hymns,  have  resulted  in  leading  sinners  to  the 
Saviour.  Ministers  have  said  that  it  was  no  unusual 
thing  in  talking  to  the  anxious  in  the  inquiry  rooms, 
to  hear  x)enitents  say,  ''it  was  the  singing  of  that 
hymn  that  broke  my  heart,"  and  in  this  country,  the 
same  expressions  are  now  to  be  heard. 

We  clip  from  one  of  the  papers,  a  pretty  fair  de- 
scription of  the  effect  of  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  Jesus 
of  Nazareth  passeth  by."  The  words  of  the  paper  are 
given  entire:  ^^Mr.  Moody  opens  his  Bible  and  reads, 
in  his  earnest  way,  a  few  verses  from  one  or  more 
chapters,  touching  the  law  and  the  curse  of  the  law ; 
then,  with  no  alteration  in  the  tone  of  his  voice, 
^Now,  I  am  going  to  ask  Mr.  Sankey  to  sing'  (naming 


^BA  DAYID  SANKEY. 


71 


the  hymn).  Often  he  gives  out^  ^by  special  request,  Mr. 
Sankey  will  sing  ^  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by.' "  The 
first  and  last  verses  show  the  effect  that  a  man  of  Mr. 
Sankey^s  vocal  abilities  can  readily  impart  to  a  compo- 
sition of  this  nature: 

"What  means  this  eager — anxious  throng, 
V^hich  moves  with  busy  haste  along  ? 
These  wondrous  gatherings  day  by  day  ? 
What  means  this  strange  commotion,  pray? 
In  accents  hushed  the  throng  reply, 

*  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by.' 

"  But  if  you  still  this  call  refuse, 
And  all  His  wondrous  love  abuse, 
Soon  will  He  sadly  from  you  turn, 
Your  bitter  prayer  for  pardon  spurn — 

*  Too  late !  too  late ! '  will  be  the  cry: 

*  Jesus  of  Nazareth  has  passed  by.' 

"The  effect  j^roduced  by  the  closing  lines  was  electri- 
calj  people  fairly  jumped  in  their  seats,  and  a  long  sigh 
might  be  heard  breaking  from  the  congregation. 

"  But  Mr.  Sankey  has  power  with  the  people  outside 
of  his  singing.  Dr.  Theo.  Cuyler  said  of  him,  "His 
prayers  take  hold  of  every  heart,  and  when  he  speaks, 
which  we  wish  he  would  do  more  often,  he  chains  the 
attention  of  all.'^ 

On  account  of  its  great  popularity,  and  exceeding 
sweetness  and  beauty,  we  give  a  history  of  the  words 
and  music  of  "The  Mnety  and  Nine."  It  is  said  to  be 
the  most  useful  and  most  popular  of  all  of  Mr.  Sankey's 
hymns.  The  words  were  found  by  him  while  travelling 
from  Glasgow  to  Edinburgh  in  1873.  Before  getting 
into  the  train  at  Glasgow,  he  purchased  a  copy  of  the 
"Christian  Age,"  an  English  weekly,  w^hich  published 
Dr.  Talmage's  sermons.  Hid  away  in  one  corner,  he 
discovered  the  little  hymn  which  was  so  soon  to  become 
the  most  celebrated  of  modern  hymns.  No  name  being 


72 


MOODY  AND  SAjNI^EY. 


attached  to  it  as  author^  Mr. » Saukey  said  to  Mr. 
Moody,  this  is  just  the  hymn  I  have  been  praying  for 
— I  wish  I  knew  who  wrote  it.  I  will  sing  it,  and  I 
think  we  will  soon  find  out  who  the  author  is.^' 

The  next  day,  while  seated  at  a  piano  in  the  home 
of  a  christian  gentleman,  in  Edinburgh,  Mr.  Sankey 
composed  the  air  for  it,  and  on  the  following  day  at  the 
noon-day  prayer  meeting  held  in  the  Free  Church  As- 
sembly Hall,  he  sang  it  for  the  first  time.  The  subject 
before  the  meeting  was  the  "Good  Shepherd,''  and  at 
the  close  of  some  remarks  by  Dr.  Horatio  Bonar,  the 
celebrated  hymn  writer,  Mr,  Sankey  broke  forth  in  the 
new  but  striking  strains  : 

1  There  were  ninety  and  nine  that  safely  lay 

In  the  shelter  of  the  fold ; 
But  one  was  out  on  the  hills  away, 

Ear  off  from  the  gates  of  gold — 
Away  on  the  mountains  wild  and  bare, 
Away  from  the  tender  Shepherd's  care. 

.2  "Lord,  Thou  hast  here  Thy  ninety  and  nine: 

Are  they  not  enough  for  Thee  ?" 
But  the  Shepherd  made  answer:  "  'Tis  of  mine, 

Has  wandered  away  from  me ; 
And  although  the  road  be  rough  and  steep 
I  go  to  the  desert  to  find  my  sheep." 

3  But  none^of  the  ransomed  ever  knew 

How  deep  were  the  waters  crossed ; 
Nor  how  dark  was  the  night  that  the  Lord  passed  through 

Ere  he  found  His  sheep  that  was  lost. 
Out  in  the  desert  He  heard  its  cry — 
Sick  and  helpless,  and  ready  to  die. 

4  "Lord,  whence  are  those  blood-drops  all  the  way 

That  mark  out  the  mountain's  track  ?" 
"  They  were  shed  for  one  who  had  gone  astray, 

Ere  the  Shepherd  could  bring  him  back." 
"Lord,  whence  are  Thy  hands  so  rent  and  torn?" 
"  They  are  pierced  to-night  by  many  a  thorn." 


IRA  DAYID  SANKEY. 


73 


5  But  all  through  the  mountains,  thunder-riven, 

And  up  from  the  rocky  steep, 
There  rose  a  cry  to  the  gate  of  heaven, 

''Rejoice!  I  have  found  my  sheep  1" 
And  the  angels  echoed  around  the  throne, 
"  Rejoice,  for  the  Lord  brings  back  His  own !" 

While  singing,  Mr.  Sankey  was  deeply  moved,  but 
kept  on  until  the  end.  The  whole  audience  was 
bathed  in  tears,  and  as  the  last  glad  notes  died  away, 
'^Eejoice,  for  the  Lord  brings  back  his  own,''  there 
seemed  to  break  forth  from  the  hearts  of  all  present  a  > 
sigh  of  relief,  as  if  the  brigiit  sunlight  had  burst  forth 
from  behind  some  dark  lowering  storm  cloud. 

Three  days  afterward,  he  received  a  letter  from  a 
lady  living  at  Melrose,  Scotland,  thanking  him  for 
having  sung  her  deceased  sister's  little  poem  about  the 
^^Lost  Sheep."  She  had  been  in  the  meeting  the  day  it 
was  first  sung,  but,  on  account  of  the  great  crowd, 
could  not  reach  the  singer,  to  tell  him  that  it  was  her 
departed  sister's  words  that  he  had  sung  with  such 
wonderful  effect. 

Mr.  Sankey  learned  from  this  lady,  that  the  writer 
of  the  hymn,  Elizabeth  C.  Clephane,  had  written  it  in 
1868.  Shortly  afterward,  she  was  called  by  the  ^^Good 
Shepherd"  into  the  fold  on  high.  The  hymn  was  pub- 
lished for  the  first  time  in  the  Family  Treasury," 
edited  by  the  late  Dr.  Wm.  Arnot  of  Edinburgh,  and 
had  been  copied  into  English  and  American  pai3ers, 
but  never  set  to  music  until  found  by  Mr.  Sankey. 
When  he  had  it  published,  he  called  it  ^'The  Lost 
Sheep,"  but  the  people  got  to  calling  it The  Mnety 
and  Nine,"  and  he  finally  had  it  published  in  his  sacred 
songs  and  solos  under  that  name. 

An  English  paper  gives  the  following  account  of  the 
effect  produced  by  its  singing  at  Huntley : 

After  singing  the  hymn,    Still  there's  more  to  fol- 

4 


74 


MOODY  AND  SAT^KEY. 


low/'  Mr.  Sankey  sang  The  Lost  Sheep.''  This  solo 
produced  an  immense  effect  upon  the  audience,  espe- 
cially the  refrain,  Sick  and  wounded,  and  ready  to 
die.''  When  it  was  going  on,  heads  were  bowed,  and 
eyes  were  bathed  with  tears,  and  the  whole  audience 
was  visibly  affected.  IS'o  wonder.  It  was  the  gospel 
presented  in  a  way  one  does  not  often  hear  it.  As  an 
old  man  said  to  me,  with  the  tears  streaming  from  his 
eyes,  "  I  never  heard  onything  like  it,  my  vera  heart's 
like  to  brak." 

The  following  notices  from  the  press  give  some  idea 
of  the  manner  of  Mr.  Sankey's  singing,  j^n  English 
paper  says : 

What  Mr.  Sankey  does  is  to  preach  by  song.  He 
is  no  performer.  We  think  when  we  hear  him  of 
what  he  is  singing,  not  of  how  he  sings.  That  a  man 
should  stand  up  at  the  music  stool  and  pray  that  the 
song  he  is  about  to  sing  may  carry  a  message  to  many 
hearts,  or  that  he  should,  in  a  short  speech,  ask  Chris- 
tians to  pray,  while  he  is  singing,  that  God  will  bless 
his  song,  is  a  thing  that  none  of  us  have  heard  of 
before.  But  to  Mr.  Sankey  it  is  entirely  natural;  it  is 
almost  a  part  of  his  song.  The  success  of  his  singing 
is  undoubted.  It  is  a  strange  sensation  to  feel  an 
immense  congregation  settle  down  into  perfect  silence 
as  he  plays  his  introductory  symphony,  and  to  hear 
the  coughing  and  the  motion  of  the  people  between  the 
verses,  which  prove  the  strength  of  their  attention. 

^^Mr.  Sankey  does  not  claim  to  be  a  musician  5  pro- 
bably he  would  not  wish  to  be  regarded  as  a  great 
singer.  But  he  possesses  that  first  qualification  of  all 
who  would  move  others  by  their  song — he  believes  and 
feels  what  he  sings.  The  strong  passion  that  stirs 
him  may  be  observed  by  every  one ;  he  is  sometimes 
so  affected  at  the  conclusion  of  his  songs  as  to  weep 


IRA  DAVID  SANKEY. 


75 


like  a  child.  Next  to  this  great  power  which  feeling 
gives  must  be  placed  his  clear  pronunciation.  We 
hear  every  initial  and  final  consonant  on  which  the 
distinctness  of  musical  utterance  depends.  Many  a 
prima  donna  may  envy  his  sharply  defined  consonants 
and  his  clean  cut  phrases. 

"  Not  only  does  Mr.  Sankey  know  how  to  sing  softly 
himself,  but  he  takes  care  that  the  choir  shall  do  the 
same.  The  greatest  impressions  they  produce  are  by 
soft  singing.  For  example,  in  'The  Sweet  By  and 
By/  when  the  people  have  been  joining  in  the  chorus 
of  the  last  verse,  and  think  the  piece  is  over,  the  choir 
unexpectedly  gives  it  again,  pianissimo,  with  an  effect 
that  touches  every  one.  The  vast  sound  of  a  thou- 
sand voices  is  inspiring,  but  people  will  tell  you  that 
they  were  more  moved  by  the  scarcely  audible  chorus 
of  the  choir,  in  such  a  passage  as  this.  Hitherto 
shouting  has  generally  been  associated  with  the  revi- 
val services,  and  even  encouraged  as  a  sign  of  hearti- 
ness and  fervor.  But  no  one  who  hears  such  soft  sing- 
ing as  Mr.  Sankey  produces  can  doubt  whether,  after 
all,  gentleness  is  not  mightier  than  force." 

Another  paper  gives  the  following  : 

''After  an  earnest  appeal  from  Mr.  Moody  to  the  sin- 
ner to  return  to  God  and  live,  the  effect  produced  by 
Mr.  Sankey's  solo,  '  Come  home  !  Come  home  V  in  his 
own  style  cannot  be  described : 

'  Come  home  I  come  home  I 
You  are  weary  at  heart, 
For  the  way  has  been  dark, 
And  so  lonely  and  wild, 
0 1  prodigal  child  1 

Come  home  I  oh,  come  home ! ' 

"After  the  singing,  the  influence  upon  the  audience  is 
so  powerful  that  every  heart  seems  touched ;  and  like 


76 


MOODY  AKD  SANKEY. 


results  follow  otlier  addresses,  and  their  accompany- 
iug  liymns,  as  when  the  speaker  has  made  an  earnest 
and  tender  appeal  on  the  riches  of  God's  mercy  in 
opening  the  way  to  heaven  through  the  cross  of 
Christ.  The  singing  immediately  after  of  the  beauti- 
ful piece,  '  The  gate  ajar/  thrills  and  melts  your  very 
soul: 

*  There  is  a  gate  that  stands  ajar, 
And  through  its  portals  gleaming 
A  radiance  from  the  cross  afar, 
The  Saviour's  love  revealing. 
Oh,  depths  of  mercy  !  can  it  be 
That  gate  was  left  ajar  for  me 

And  so  when  he  sings  ^The  Ninety  and  J5"ine/  ^ITothing 
but  Leaves,'  ^  Hold  the  Fort,'  ^Our  Mission,'  ^Go  work 
in  my  Yineyard,'  etc.,  etc.  But  as  I  have  said  it  can- 
not be  described,  one  must  see  and  hear  to  understand 
or  realize  it." 

Another  says:  ^^The  admiration  of  Mr.  Sankey's 
singing  is  enthusiastic.  When  he  sings  a  solo  a 
death-like  silence  reigns,  or,  as  the  Irish  Times  de- 
scribes it,  ^  It  seems  that  he  only  is  present  in  the  vast 
building.'  When  he  ceases  there  is  a  rustling  like  the 
leaves  of  a  forest  when  stirred  by  the  wind.  We 
might  apply  to  him  the  language  of  Scripture:  'Lo  ! 
thou  art  unto  them  as  a  very  lovely  song  of  one  who 
hath  a  pleasant  voice,  and  can  jjlay  well  on  an  instru- 
ment.' one  can  estimate  the  service  he  has  ren- 
dered to  the  Church  of  Christ  by  the  compilation  of 
his  book  of  ^Sacred  Songs,' and  their  sweet  tunes; 
they  are  the  delight  of  all  ages.  I  have  heard  in 
Scotland  that  already  they  are  sung  in  our  most  dis- 
tant colonies.  Ere  long  I  believe  they  will  be  sung 
wherever  the  English  language  is  spoken  over  the 
earth.   Nor  will  they  be  confined  to  that  language,  for 


IKA  DAYID  SANKEY. 


77 


a  lady  is  at  present  engaged  in  translating  them  into 
German.  It  was  Fletcher,  of  Saltoun,  who  said,  '  Let 
me  make  the  songs  of  a  country,  and  I  care  not  who 
make  its  laws.' 
An  American  paper  has  said: 
One  -thing  is  noticeable  in  Mr.  Sankey's  solos^  and 
that  is  his  thorough  independence  of  the  instrument 
with  which  he  accomj^anies  his  singing,  and  to  those 
sparing  accompaniments  is  in  a  large  measure  due  the 
effectiveness  of  his  singing.  He  never  strikes  a  chord 
until  he  has  sung,  in  a  i)eculiar,  chanting  tone  of  voice, 
one  whole  line  of  the  song,  and  then  the  chords  seem 
more  intended  for  his  own  guidance  than  for  any 
instrumental  effect.  'Once  for  all'  is  the  title  of  a 
hymn  selected,  and  begins: 

'Free  from  the  law,  oh  happy  condition.' 

"Mr.  Sankey  sings  it: 

'  Free  I  from  the  law,  Oh  (in  a  most  ecstatic  tone)  hap-py  condition/ 

"The  chorus  is  beseeching,  and  sung  at  the  top  of  five 
hun^dred  voices: 

'  Once  for  all,  0  sinner,  receive  it: 
Once  for  all,  0  brother,  believe  it: 
Cling  to  the  cross,  the  burden  will  fall, 
Christ  has  redeemed  us  once  for  all.'  " 

As  some  good  people  have  been  led  to  suppose  that 
Mr.  Sankey  is  employed  at  a  salary,  or  otherwise,  to  do 
his  work,  as  a  matter  of  justice  to  him  it  may  be 
well  to  state  that  he  is  not  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Moody 
or  any  other  person.  He  has  the  same  love  for  the 
Avork  as  Mr.  Moody,  and  works  just  as  faithfully.  Any 
expense  incurred  by  them  is  usually  borne  by  kind 
friends,  and  no  collections  for  expenses  of  any  kind 
are  taken  up  at  their  meetings.  The  Gospel  is  preached 
to  the  multitude  ^'  without  money  and  without  price." 


78 


MOODY  AXD  SANKEY. 


They  liave  raised  large  sums  of  money  in  nearly  every 
town  or  city  they  have  visited,  to  help  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.  In  Brooklyn  they  found  the 
Association  five  to  six  thousand  dollars  in  debt.  They 
raised  enough  to  pay  it  off  and  leave  a  balance  of  five 
tliousand  dollars.  The  royalty on  Mr.  Sankey's 
hymn  books  has  reached  nearly  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
not  one  cent  of  which  has  he  used  for  himself.  He  is 
emphatically,  "  temporally  and  spiritually,"  trusting  in 
the  Lord. 

The  following  letter  from  Great  Britain  is  a  pleasing 
testimony  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  Mr.  Sankey  is 
held  there: 

'^Deak  Christiat^  Freend — Ira  D.  Sankey:  We, 
a  family  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  wish  to  thank  you 
most  heartily  for  the  sweet  hymns  you  have  left  us, 
which  are  such  a  great  i)leasure  in  our  home  circle. 
You  have  indeed  left  behind  you  something  which  never 
fails  to  recall  those  crowded  gatherings  in  the  Haymar- 
ket  Opera  House,  where  we  had  the  privilege  of  hear- 
ing you,  and  that  earnest  worker,  D.  L.  Moody.  We 
doubt  not,  and  indeed  many  instances  of  the  kind  have 
come  under  our  notice,  that  your  meetings  have  been 
times  of  blessing  to  many,  and  the  seed  that  was  sown 
is,  we  believe,  in  many^  many  cases,  springing  up  into 
eternal  life.  We  doubt  not  that  there  will  be  from  this 
land  innumerable  stars  one  day  added  to  your  crowns 
of  rejoicing,  which  shall  not  fade  away.  We  can  assure 
Tou  that  many  English  hearts  warm  towards  you,  as 
instruments  of  help  on  the  Christian  i)athway,  with 
I)rayers  that  every  blessing  may  attend  your  work  in 
your  own  land,  any  little  record  of  which,  in  the 
Cliristian^  is  hailed  with  delight 5  and  we  only  regret 
that  the  wide  Atlantic  rolls  between  us  and  your  gather- 
iiigs,  which  we  should  so  enjoy  attending.    We  do  hope 


IRA  DAYID  SANKEY. 


79 


that  some  day  you  and  your  beloved  companion  will 
again  pay  a  visit  to  our  country.  Again  thanking  you 
for  your  beautiful  hymns,  and  with  Christian  regard  for 
you  and  your  fellow  worker,  we  are 

A  Widowed  Aunt, 
A  Widowed  Mother, 
And  two  Dauohtbrs. 

Dec.  13,  1875.'^ 

Such  testimonies  to  the  worth  of  Mr.  Sankey's  efforts 
are,  however,  now  given  by  all  people  who  have  heard 
him,  and  further  quotations  would  not,  perhaps,  add 
to  the  interest  of  this  sketch  of  his  life. 


GREAT  BRITAIN. 


CHAPTEE  I. 

IN  ENGLAND. 

While  visiting  in  England  on  a  former  occasion, 
Mr.  Moody  liad  received  very  pressing  invitations  to 
return  to  that  country  on  an  evangelizing  tour.  Upon 
his  return  to  Chicago  from  that  visit,  he  determined  to 
comply  with  the  wishes  of  his  foreign  friends.  In 
accordance  with  this  determination,  he  proposed  to  Mr. 
Sankey  that  they  go  to  England  and  work  together  in 
the  cause  they  had  so  much  at  heart.  Mr.  Sankey  ad- 
vised his  friends  of  what  was  proposed,  and  conferred 
with  them  as  to  his  duty ;  and  the  advice  was  to  go  with 
Mr.  Moody  by  all  means,  as  that  seemed  to  be  clearly 
a  call  to  duty. 

Having  arranged  all  the  preliminaries  for  starting 
upon  their  mission,  on  June  7,  1873,  they  set  sail  from 
l^ew  York,  arriving  at  Liverpool  on  the  17th  of  the 
same  month.  Mr.  Moody  had  with  him  his  family ; 
and  Mr.  Sankey  his  wife,  leaving  his  two  boys  at  their 
home  in  Kew  Castle,  Penn.  A  strange  and,  humanly 
speaking,  profitless  journey  was  this,  upon  which  they 
had  entered  and  thus  far  advanced. 

They  had  pressed  their  feet  upon  the  shores  of  Eng- 
land as  heralds  of  their  Master,  with  neither  i)urse  nor 
scr:^^,  but  trusting  wholly  in  God  for  their  support, 
and  the  success  of  their  mission.  They  received  no 
salary,  nor  would  they  ask  comijensation  in  collections 
or  any  other  form  5  but,  recognizing  their  work  to  be 
one  for  the  Lord,  they  were  satisfied  to  do  it  honestly 

4* 


82 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


and  well,  and  trust  to  Hiin  for  tlieir  care  and  subsist- 
ence ^  and  in  tlius  doing  they  were  never  forgotten. 

Immediately  upon  their  arrival  in  England,  they  set 
about  to  prepare  for  the  meetings  contemplated.  An 
invitation  was  awaiting  them  from  York,  and  to  this 
place  they  agreed  to  repair  and  commence  their  labors. 
Upon  conferring  with  friends  in  that  place,  they  were 
somewhat  astonished  to  learn  that  they  were  not  ready 
there  for  the  commencement  of  the  work.  But,  not  in 
the  least  dismayed,  they  proceeded  at  once  to  that 
city,  and  proposed  to  open  their  meetings.  To  less 
fervent  and  earnest  souls,  the  prospect  here  would 
have  been  dreary  enough  either  to  have  compelled 
great  solicitude,  or  to  have  driven  them  in  despair  back 
to  their  native  land.  Mr.  Sankey  was  entirely  un- 
known in  the  city,  while  Mr.  Moody's  acquaintance 
was  comparatively  limited,  so  that  they  were  practi- 
cally friendless  in  their  new  field  of  labor.  Nobody, 
outside  of  a  few  persons  who  knew  Mr.  Moody,  seemed 
to  want  them  5  but,  nothing  daunted,  they  made  ready 
to  preach  the  gospel  to  any  who  would  give  heed  and 
listen  to  them. 

Applications  were  made  for  a  house  of  worship  in 
which  to  begin  the  meetings,  and  two  or  three  pulpits 
were  opened  to  them,  and  offered  in  a  distrustful  man- 
ner, showing  plainly  enough  that  they  were  not  re- 
ceived with  the  spirit  of  love  and  good-will.  The 
ministers,  as  a  whole,  were  not  friendly  toward  the 
new  comers,  and  it  was  scarcely  to  be  expected  that 
the  people  would  be  more  so. 

On  Sunday  morning,  June  22d,  the  meetings  were 
opened  in  Salem  Congregational  Chapel,  to  Christian 
workers.  In  the  afternoon  a  meeting  was  held  in  the 
Corn  Exchange,  which  was  attended  by  about  one 
thousand  persons    and  in  the  evening,  Wesley  Chapel 


THE  WORK  IN  ENaLAND. 


83 


was  occupied.  Every  evening  of  the  following  week, 
Bible  lectures  were  delivered  in  various  chapels,  each 
service  resulting  in  the  saving  of  souls,  but  especially 
in  the  quickening  of  believers.  On  the  29thL  of  June, 
meetings  were  held  in  two  other  chapels,  and  also 
twice  in  the  Corn  Exchange,  to  congregations  number- 
ing about  1,000  each.  Prayer-meetings  v^^ere  held  at 
noon  of  each  day,  in  the  rooms  of  the  Young  Men^s 
Christian  Association.  Meetings  were  thus  held  daily 
for  about  one  month,  and  toward  the  close,  it  is  said, 
all  the  congregations  had  opened  their  chapels  and 
given  their  presence  and  help  in  promoting  the  great 
work. 

The  result  of  their  labors  here,  while  not  attended 
with,  such  manifestations  of  the  presence  and  power  of 
the  Spirit  as  at  future  meetings,  was  an  increase  in 
the  spiritual  zeal  and  fervor  of  the  churches,  the 
awakening  and  conversion  of  many  sinners,  and  an 
increased  interest  in  the  work  of  the  Evangelists,  on 
the  part  of  the  i3eoi)le.  ^Nearly  three  hundred  i)ersons 
were  converted  during  the  services  at  this  place, 
enough,  surely,  to  satisfy  all  doubters  that  they  were 
sent  of  God,  and  were  not  merely  adventurers,  as  some 
would  have  them  be. 

Their  manner  of  presenting  the  Gospel  was  new,  and 
the  peoiDle  were  greatly  attracted  by  the  simple  and 
unaffected  manner  in  which  their  attention  was  called 
to  the  great  work  of  life.  Mr.  Moody  did  not  present 
tliem  the  truth  in  the  polished  phrases  and  finished 
rhetoric  of  the  schools,  but  drove  it  home  by  homely 
illustrations  and  plain,  well-directed  logic,  and  a  sin- 
cere earnestness.  B'ever  was  the  simplicity  of  the 
Gospel  x)resented  in  a  more  captivating  and  effective 
way  to  these  people  of  York,  than  when,  in  plainness  ' 
of  speech^  or  in  the  deep  solemnity  of   Bible  readings," 


84 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


Mr.  Moody  so  opened  the  truth  that  a  wayfaring 
man,  though  a  fool,  might  not  err  therein.'^ 

Singmg  the  GospeF'  was  new  to  the  people,  but 
none  the  less  welcome,  and  cheerfully  received.  The 
sound  of  Mr.  Sankey's  voice,  in  the  churches  or  at  his 
lodging-place,  was  sufficient  to  attract  attention,  and 
create  great  feeling,  inducing  those  who  heard  to  lay 
well  to  heart  the  searching  truths  of  the  words  sung. 
It  is  said,  by  accounts  published  during  the  meetings, 
that  so  sweet  and  tender  were  his  songs,  that  mauy 
persons  were  brought  under  the  influence  of  the  Spirit 
while  listening  to  them,  and  some  were  converted 
through  this  instrumentality.  No  wonder,  then,  that 
crowds  hung  upon  his  words,  and  listened  with  long- 
ings of  heart  for  the  precious  promises  and  cheer  of  his 
songs,  and  then  rejoiced  in  the  peace  and  happiness 
flowing  from  a  personal  knowledge  of  the  truth  so 
pleasingly  presented  to  them. 

It  was  a  month  of  faithful  labor,  and  the  Evangelists 
left  with  much  encouragement.  While  at  first  they 
had  not  the  cooperation  of  the  ministry,  even  this  was 
overcome  5  but  best  of  all,  the  common  people  heard 
them  gladly;  and  they  went  to  other  places  with 
lighter  hearts,  and  greater  assurances  of  success  in 
their  work. 

In  the  latter  part  of  July  they  visited  Sunderland, 
on  the  east  side  of  England,  at  the  instance  of  Eev. 
Arthur  Eees,  who  had  visited  some  of  the  meetings 
already  held.  ISTever  were  good  men,  earnestly  labor- 
ing in  a  good  cause,  more  coldly  received  than  were 
Moody  and  Sankey  at  this  place.  With  but  few  ex- 
ceptions, the  ministers  were  all  arrayed  against  them, 
offering  no  encouragement  or  good  will  to  those  whom 
they  should  have  recognized  as  co-laborers  in  a  great 
cause.   They  probably  had  reasons  for  withholding 


THE  WORK  IN  ENaLAOT). 


85 


their  support — doubtless  had,  speaking  after  the  man- 
ner of  men.  Mr.  Moody  did  not  come  to  them  preach- 
ing in  a  staid  and  orderly  manner,  but  was  offhand  in 
his  speech,  sparing  none  in  his  demands  that  all  should 
conform  to  the  requirements  of  the  gospel.  He  was 
not  an  ordained  minister,  had  never  been  at  a  school 
of  Theology,  except  as  the  Master  had  trained  him, 
and  for  these,  and  other  as  weak  reasons,  they  stood 
aloof  from  him  and  would  have  none  of  his  meetings. 
It  may  not  be  amiss  to  say,  that  they  realized  ere  a 
great  while,  that  they  had  lost  a  precious  blessing  in 
their  blindness  and  obstinacy.  But,  here  as  in  York, 
the  people  were  glad  and  anxious  to  hear  the  tidings 
of  great  joy,  and  they  went  to  the  meetings,  despite 
the  fact  that  their  spiritual  leaders  were  not  with 
them.  It  was  discouraging,  to  say  the  least,  to  con- 
vince even  people  so  anxious,  while  their  own  minis- 
ters, through  the  papers,  and  in  the  pulpit,  were  at- 
tacking the  Evangelists  and  vigorously  opposing  them. 

Mr.  Moody  was  in  sore  straits.  He  declared  the 
whole  counsel  of  God  and  withheld  nothing,  but  only 
the  more  fiercely  was  he  attacked.  Even  Mr.  Sankey's 
singing  was  brought  in  question,  and  the  critics  had 
doubts  whether  solo  singing  could  rightfully  be  called 
worship.  But  Mr.  Moody  kept  on  preaching  all  the 
same,  and  Mr.  Sankey's  sweet  notes  of  praise  were  not 
in  the  least  changed ;  and  many  were  led  to  bless  the 
day  when  the  pressure  of  preaching  was  brought  to 
bear  upon  them,  and  when  their  ears  were  greeted 
with  the  charming  songs  of  praise,  to  which  the  doc- 
tors made  objection.  Sunderland  deliberately  cast 
from  it  a  great  blessing,  and  months  later,  when  the 
news  was  carried  to  them  of  the  tide  of  revival  in 
Scotland — that  the  grave  Scottish  psalm  singers  and 
stiff  old  Covenanters  were  receiving  the  blessings 


86 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


they  would  not  have — they  saw  their  mistake  and 
hasted  to  rectify  it.  It  was  then  that  they  discovered, 
in  faiUng  to  entertain  strangers  they  had  driven  from 
them  angels  of  mercy  and  peace.  But  even  Sunder- 
land profited  after  a  while,  when  the  refluent  waves 
of  gospel  joy  flowed  upon  them  from  the  hills  and 
cities  of  the  north.  When  the  meetings  were  in  pro- 
gress in  Scotland,  the  town  was  visited  by  a  sweeping 
revival,  during  which  all  their  objections  to  Moody 
and  Sankey  were  swept  away  with  the  rest  of  their 
errors  and  prejudices. 

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. 

At  the  close  of  the  meetings  in  Sunderland  the 
Evangelists  accepted  a  call  from  Kewcastle-upon-Tyne, 
to  which  place  they  proceeded,  and  here,  for  the  first 
time,  were  successful  in  overcoming  the  prejudices 
against  them,  and  convincing  the  peojile  that  they 
were  Divinely  sent.  In  the  other  places,  the  ministers 
had  not  sim^ily  held  aloof  and  given  them  no  counte- 
nance, but  actually  opposed  them  with  vigor  and  power; 
while  at  Newcastle  the  ministers  soon  gave  them  a 
hearty  welcome,  and  vied  with  each  other  in  aiding 
them  in  their  noble  work.  There  was  no  carping  criti- 
cism; no  appeals  against  them  through  the  press;  but 
each  put  his  shoulder  to  the  wheel,  and  the  result  was 
astounding.  Many  of  the  ministers  in  the  established 
church  also  gave  their  influence  to  the  work,  and  did 
much  in  making  it  popular. 

The  break  once  made  among  the  ministers,  the  peo- 
ple were  ready  to  follow  in  vast  numbers.  The  audi- 
ences, rather  small  at  first,  increased  to  crowds  that 
filled  the  places  of  worship,  and  hundreds  had  to  be 
turned  away  for  Avant  of  room.  l^Tewcastle  was  literally 
filled  with  the  power  of  the  frospel.   The  people  heard 


THE  WORK  IN  ENaLAND. 


87 


it  J  accepted  it,  and  made  tlie  old  town  joyous  with  their 
praises  in  favor  of  it.  The  glory  and  power  of  the 
meetings  extended  until  the  entire  neighborhood  was 
in  a  spirit  of  excitement  and  enthusiasm;  and  the 
reviving  influences  reached  homes  and  hearts  which 
had  not  before  known  that  such  richness  was  in  store 
for  them.  With  the  whole  country  awakened,  and 
hundreds  of  earnest  men  and  women  pressing  upon 
them,  and  beseeching  to  know  the  way  of  life  and  sal- 
vation, was  it  any  wonder  that  Mr.  Moody's  heart  was 
filled  with  a  joy  unutterable,  and  that  his  tongue  was 
one  of  fire?  Any  wonder  that  the  words  which  fell 
from  his  lips  were  like  a  balm  to  the  heart  of  the  Chris- 
tian, or  full  of  fear  and  horror  to  the  hardened  sinner? 
He  had  enough  already  to  turn  the  head  of  almost  any 
man,  but  true  to  the  line  of  duty  before  him,  and  the 
ppomptings  of  a  heart  sanctified  to  the  work  of  his 
Master,  he  counted  all  these  great  works  as  but  e^^- 
dences  that  a  higher  power  than  he  was  at  work  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people. 

Mr.  Sankey  was  also  full  of  the  inspiration  that  made 
the  meetings  so  successful.  His  singing  became  more 
than  ever  sweet  and  powerful.  He  was  rightfully  called 
the  sweet  singer  of  Israel,'^  and  as  the  precious  show- 
ers of  blessings  and  of  grace  gently  descended  upon 
the  multitudes,  his  songs  took  more  of  the  character 
of  triumph  in  the  service  of  a  mighty  Sovereign. 
These  thousands  of  people  who  heard  him,  and  who 
were  conversant  with  Old  Testament  history,  must 
have  recalled  scenes  in  ancient  Israel  like  unto  this, 
when  the  people,  in  triumphant  notes,  sang  for  joy 
over  their  deliverance  from  their  enemies.  Here  the 
sweet  voiced  Sankey  was  leading  the  gathering  hosts 
who,  in  their  rescue  from  the  power  of  sin  and  dark- 
ness, could  not  force  back  the  welling  of  joy  that  rose 


88 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


in  their  hearts,  but  gave  vent  to  it  in  songs  of  praise/ 
such  as  Newcastle  had  probably  never  before  heard. 
Was  it  any  wonder  then  that  the  Evangelists  had 
great  rejoicing  of  heart,  and  that  they  praised  God  and 
took  courage  for  the  days  and  months  of  labor  before 
them? 

The  manner  of  conducting  the  services  at  this  place 
was  quite  satisfactory,  and  drew  great  crowds  to  all 
the  meetings.  Every  morning  at  12  o'clock,  in  the 
Music  Hall,  there  was  held  a  meeting  for  prayer,  i^raise 
and  exhortation,  at  which  an  earnest  company  of  peo- 
ple would  gather,  all  desiring  the  revival  of  the  work 
of  God  in  their  town.  These  meetings  were  effectual, 
and  numerous  and  strikiug  were  the  answers  to  prayer 
for  the  unconverted.  Every  evening  services  were 
held,  and  when  the  work  became  somewhat  advanced 
the  afternoon  services  were  commenced,  thus  making 
three  services  duiing  the  day.  On  the  10th  of  Sep- 
tember a  meeting  was  held  that  was  so  novel  and 
entertaining  that  it  merits  special  attention.  Mr. 
Moody  announced  that  he  intended  to  have  an  All 
day  meeting  on  that  day,  and  invited  all  who  could 
to  attend  it.  The  day  for  the  meeting  came  clear  and 
beautiful.  It  was  a  day  when  all  nature  seemed  to  be 
rejoicing  in  the  glad  sunshine  of  the  great  Father's 
beneficence.    One  of  the  papers  said : 

'^At  ten  o'clock,  the  hour  for  the  service  to  com- 
mence, the  wide  area  of  Eye-hill  Chapel  was  about 
half-filled,  and  the  people  coming  in  quickly.  By 
eleven  o'clock  the  friends  from  Sunderland,  Shields, 
Jarrow,  and  neigboring  towns,  had  come  in  by  train, 
and  had  occui)ied  nearly  the  whole  of  the  area.  At 
twelve  o'clock  the  message  came — '^o  more  room  in 
the  area,  we  must  throw  the  galleries  open.'  By  two 
o'clock  the  galleries  were  well  filled,  and  before  the 


THE  WOKK  m  ENGLAND. 


89 


closing  hour  came  around,  the  spacious  and  beautiful 
chapel  was  filled  with  those  who  had  left  business, 
home  cares  and  work,  pleasure  and  idleness,  to  come 
and  worship  God  and  hear  his  word.  ISTever  was  the 
faith  of  God's  people  more  abundantly  satisfied.  They 
asked  and  it  was  given,  they  sought  and  found,  they 
knocked  and  the  door  was  opened  unto  them.'' 

"  According  to  the  programme  which  Mr.  Moody  had 
distributed  largely  over  the  town,  the  first  hour  of  the 
services  was  to  be  devoted  entirely  to 

^^PBAYER  AND  BIBLE-READINa," 

which,  in  connection  with  the  singing,  and  comments 
by  leading  and  able  ministers,  made  up  an  hour  of 
rare  pleasure  and  interest.  The  second  hour  was  de- 
voted to  the  promises,"  Mr,  Moody  being  the  leader. 
The  third  was  devoted  to  praise,"  in  which  Mr.  San- 
key  was  leader.  The  fourth  hour  was  set  apart  for  ex- 
perience and  exhortation."  The  fifth  hour  was  occupied 
by  Mr.  Moorhouse,  in  an  address  on  separation.  The 
sixth  and  last  hour  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Moody  with 
an  address  on  ^'Heaven,"  which  excited  the  most  pro- 
found interest  on  the  part  of  all  his  hearers.  Eev.  Mr. 
Moorhouse  in  speaking  of  these  meetings  says,  "  I  have 
never  seen  anywhere  a  deeper  work  of  grace  than  in 
these  towns."  Their  influence  was  at  work  in  and  out 
of  the  meetiugs,  and  the  following  instance,  related  in 
one  of  the  papers,  shows  the  deep  hold  taken  on  many 
minds :  A  gentleman  passing  down  a  street  in  Gateshead 
heard  some  one  knocking  at  the  window  of  a  cottage. 
He  stopped  and  a  respectable  woman  came  to  the  door, 
and  said — "Come  in!"  He  said  he  could  not  then,  as 
he  was  going  to  a  meeting. 

"Oh,  sir,  for  God's  sake  come  in,  and  tell  me  some- 
thing about  Jesus,  for  I  am  wretched." 


90 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


"What  is  tlie  matter!'^  said  he. 

She  said,  "I  am  lost 5  oh,  tell  me  what  I  must  do  to 
be  saved.  I  have  been  standing  at  my  window  all  the 
day  to  see  if  a  Christian  would  come  along,  and  if  it 
had  only  been  a  beggar  who  loved  the  Saviour,  I  would 
have  called  him  in.'' 

She  had  been  at  a  meeting  a  week  before,  and  had 
been  in  a  miserable  state  ever  since.  A  Christian  lady 
called  to  see  her  and  told  her  about  the  love  of  Jesus. 
She  trusted,  and  was  saved.  The  demand  became  so 
great  for  religious  services,  that  other  ministers  were 
called  into  use  and  as  many  as  three  separate  meet- 
ings held  in  the  evening  in  Newcastle  and  Gateshead. 
The  smaller  towns  in  the  neighborhood  also  requested 
meetings,  and  the  towns  of  S'orth  and  South  Shields 
were  visited,  where  blessed  results  followed  the  preach- 
ing of  the  word. 

Before  finally  leaving  the  scene  of  operations  about 
^^ewcastle,  other  towns  were  also  visited,  where  the 
services  were  as  usual  most  interesting.  Darlington 
was  favored  with  a  most  refreshing  season  of  prayer 
and  preaching,  and  the  people  brought  to  a  full  realiza- 
tion of  their  duty  to  God.  At  Stockton-on-Tees,  Mr. 
Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  were  secured  for  a  three  days' 
meeting,  and  the  results  are  described  as  beicg  of  the 
most  beneficial  character.  The  closing  meetings  at 
Newcastle  on  the  14th  and  15th  of  No^mber,  were 
among  the  most  valuable  of  the  series.  On  the  15th 
the  meeting  was  obliged  to  be  held  in  the  Brunswick- 
place  chapel,  which  was  crowded  full,  and  hundreds 
turned  away.  This  was  the  more  remarkable  from  the 
fact  that  it  was  the  daily  noon  prayer  meeting.  The 
jubilee  singers  were  i)resent  and  sang  some  delightful 
songs,  after  which  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the  closing  hymn, 
"Shall  we  meet  beyond  the  river,  where  the  surges 


THE  WORK  m  ENaLAND. 


91 


cease  to  roll  The  vast  assemblage  then  cleared  away, 
and  the  Evangelists  left  for  Carlisle,  where  they  held 
a  meeting  before  going  to  Edinburgh. 

This  period  of  revival  in  Newcastle  and  neighbor- 
hood cannot  be  estimated  as  to  its  power  and  influ- 
ence. The  number  converted  might  possibly  be  ascer- 
tained, and  the  number  awakened  and  led  to  think  of 
seeking  after  a  better  life  might  be  estimated,  but  to 
estimate,  or  ai)proximate  even,  the  amount  of  good 
done  during  the  short  stay  of  Moody  and  Sankey  at 
this  locality,  is  simply  an  impossibility.  In  the  one 
thing  of  bringing  about  a  more  fraternal  feeling 
between  the  ministers,  it  was  worth  all  the  labor  be- 
stowed upon  it.  All  accounts  agree  resj^ecting  this 
phase  of  the  revival,  and  all  who  were  truly  interested 
in  saving  the  souls  of  the  people  were  enthusiastic  over 
the  fact  that  dissensions  and  useless  disputations  be- 
tween men  of  the  same  noble  profession,  engaged  in 
the  same  ennobling  cause,  would  now  be  subordinated 
to  the  common  effort  of  winning  souls.  The  expressed 
desire  of  the  Evangelists  was  to  save  souls,  and  this 
spirit  seemed  to  x>ervade  the  whole  ministry  to  a 
greater  extent  than  ever  before  known  in  that 
country. 

But  the  influence  on  the  laity  was  none  the  less 
marked.  Men  and  women  who  had  lived  for  years  in 
the  churches  with  no  personal  interest  in  their  own  or 
any  one  else's  salvation,  under  the  power  of  the  meet- 
ings became  the  most  devoted  and  self-denying  mis- 
sionaries, hunting  iijy  the  lost  and  degraded  from  the 
worst  parts  of  the  city.  Thus  the  churches  became 
alive — coldness  and  unconcern  gave  place  to  warmth 
and  genuine  works  of  faith.  The  congregational  ser- 
vices were  spirited  and  characterized  by  great  devo- 
tion 5  the  i)rayer-meetings,  from  their  well-known  want 


92 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


of  edification  and  total  lack  of  interest,  became  places 
of  prayer  for  which  the  people  sought ;  and  church 
services  and  prayer  meetings  were  attended  by  crowds 
of  attentive  worshippers,  ready  to  participate  in  the 
joyful  services  of  God's  house. 

The  first  five  months  of  Moody  and  Sankey  in  Eng- 
land brought  about  this  state  of  affairs.  They  had 
honestly,  perhaps  thanklessly,  but  none  the  less  pa- 
tiently and  hopefully,  labored  to  see  Divine  favor  rest 
upon  a  wandering  people ;  and  when  the  cloud  burst 
in  IS'ewcastle,  the  way  seemed  entirely  clear  for  the 
free  course  of  the  Gospel  message.  The  names  of 
Moody  and  Sankey  were  household  words  in  all  the 
north  of  England,  and  the  news  of  the  good  they  were 
doing  was  soon  carried  into  Scotland,  and  the  staid 
Scots  were  made  to  w^onder  at  the  strange  and  mighty 
upheaval  among  the  people.  They  looked  upon  it, 
perhaps,  much  in  the  same  light  as  they  regarded  the 
great  reformation  under  the  Wesleys  and  Whitefield, 
who  had  stirred  Britain  to  its  depths,  and  turned 
many  of  the  people  to  righteousness.  But  they  were, 
doubtless,  astonished  beyond  measure  when  the  won- 
derful news  was  carried  to  them,  that  one  of  these 
latter-day  Gospel  messengers  preached  by  singing 
songs,  and  that  it  was  none  the  less  effective  on  that 
account,  but  rather  a  great  comfort  and  joy  to  the 
thousands  who  were  crowding  their  meetings  daily. 


The  Work  in  Scotland. 


OHAPTEE  II. 

On  the  21st  of  Kovemberj  meetings  were  commenced 
in  Edinburgh,  under  much  more  favorable  circum- 
stances than  at  the  other  x>iaces  visited.  The  meet- 
ings held  just  previous  to  reaching  this  place  were 
quite  interesting  and  resulted  in  great  good,  but  it 
was  at  Edinburgh  where  the  Spirit  had  seemed  to 
open  the  way  for  a  most  successfal  revival.  The 
evangelists  were  received  with  the  utmost  cordiality  by 
the  ministers  and  people,  and  all  seemed  fully  ready 
to  cooperate  in  the  work  of  grace.  Within  one  week 
after  they  had  begun  their  meetings,  one  of  the  min- 
isters of  the  place  wrote  concerning  them  as  follows: 

We  are  all  delighted  with  them ;  ministers  of  all 
denominations  are  joining  cordially  in  the  work,  and 
God  is  indeed  working  graciously.  About  2,000  are 
out  every  night  hearing  ;  many  more  come  and  cannot 
get  into  the  church.  Two  churches  are  to  be  opened 
simultaneously  each  night  next  week. 

The  singing  of  Mr.  Sankey  lays  the  gospel  mes- 
sage and  invitation  very  distinctly  and  powerfully  on 
the  consciences  of  the  people ;  and  Mr.  Moody's  gospel 
is  clear,  earnest,  distinct,  and  well  illustrated — telling 
of  death  and  resurrection — the  '  gospel  of  God.'  He 
is  a  first-rate  workman,  and  very  practical,  and  God 
has  been  blessing  his  preaching. 

Every  evening  there  has  been  a  number  of  souls 


94: 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


coming  into  the  inquiry  rooms  5  but  last  night,  when 
preaching  on  ^  The  Son  of  Man  came  to  seek  and  to 
save  that  which  was  lost/  the  Spirit  seemed  to  be 
working  in  special  power,  and  old  Formality  got  his 
neck  broken,  and  the  wounded  and  weeping  souls 
came  into  the  inquiry  meeting  in  droves.'' 

This  was  not  what  was  reasonably  to  be  expected  in 
Scotland.  Eemembering  the  rigid  requirements  of 
these  people  of  their  spiritual  teachers,  it  was  natu- 
rally supposed  that  the  plain  speech  of  Mr.  Moody, 
and  his  lack  of  collegiate  training  and  culture,  would 
not  be  acceptable  to  them.  They  exi)ected  the  meat 
of  the  Gospel,  consisting  mainly  of  systematic  theol- 
ogy and  discussion,  and  not  the  brusque  manners  of  a 
captain  who  set  all  to  work  alike,  irrespective  of  their 
condition  or  standing  in  the  church,  and  who  was 
more  careful  about  the  power  of  the  Gosx)el  in  the 
heart,  than  that  the  believer's  theology  should  be 
strictly  hewn  to  the  line. 

Besides  this,  there  was  Mr.  Sankey's  singing.  It  is 
true  it  melted  the  hearts  of  all  who  heard  it,  and  won 
for  him  the  ready  sympathy  of  his  auditors,  but  how 
was  he  to  overcome  the  life-long  prejudices  of  the 
psalm  singers,  and  get  them  to  unite  with  him  in  sing- 
ing his  songs'?  The  organ,  too,  not  at  all  in  favor 
among  the  Scottish  people,  seemed  to  be  in  the  way, 
and  to  effectually  bar  him  from  reaching  their  hearts 
with  his  sweet  songs.  But,  strangely  enough,  he  won 
their  hearts  at  once.  The  writer  asked  Mr.  Sankey, 
after  his  return  to  America,  how  it  came  that  he  so 
readily  gained  their  confidence  and  sympathy.  His 
reply  was  characteristic  of  the  man,  and  showed  that 
he  was  sure  that  God  would  open  a  way  to  the  hearts 
of  his  hearers,  if  he  would  but  faithfully  deliver  his 
message.    Said  he,     I  took  my  place  at  my  organ, 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


95 


and  requested  the  congregation  to  join  with  me  in 
singing  the  One  Hundredth  Psalm.  This  they  cheer- 
fully did,  seeming  to  overlook  the  fact  that  the  ^  kist 
o'  whustles '  was  in  full  blast,  and  together  we  lifted 
our  voices  in  praises  to  God.  Then,  without  any 
apparent  shock,  I  began  to  sing  one  of  my  songs, 
which  seemed  to  delight  them  very  much,  Avhen,  with- 
out any  urging,  it  was  but  a  short  time  until  all  who 
could  were  lustily  singing  the  songs.'^  The  ice  was 
broken,  and  but  little  trouble  was  experienced  after 
that,  though  at  one  time,  the  organ  was  left  out  of  one 
of  the  churches,  in  order  to  allay  any  feeling.  Mr. 
Sankey  seemed  to  take  little  account  of  the  fact  that 
prejudices  were  to  be  overcome,  but  took  it  as  a  mat- 
ter of  course,  that  the  Christian  people  would  join  Mr. 
Moody  and  himself  in  whatever  was  necessary  to  the 
advancement  of  their  work.  Thus  these  two  Chris- 
tian men  entered  this  city  under  the  most  favorable 
circumstances.  They  were  given  a  welcome  far  more 
cordial  than  they  had  any  reason  to  hope  for,  and  the 
way  was  opened  up  brightly  and  auspiciously  for  the 
success  of  their  labors. 

The  meetings  here  were  held  at  different  places,  the 
first  services  being  held  in  the  Music  Hall,  on  the  23d 
of  ISTovember,  the  hall  being  literally  packed  with  an 
anxious,  expectant  audience.  But  during  the  entire 
course  of  the  meetings  there  was  no  house  in  the 
whole  of  the  city  that  was  capable  of  containing  the 
people  who  desired  to  attend  the  services.  The  largest 
halls  were  totally  inadequate,  and  in  order  to  obtain 
sitting  room  it  was  necessary  to  get  to  the  place  of 
meeting  an  hour  or  two  before  service  began. 

After  the  meetings  had  fairly  begun,  Mr.  Moody's 
use  of  the  Bible  in  his  readings  gave  him  a  place  in 
the  affections  of  the  people  that  will  last  as  long  as 


96 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


memory  is  retained.  The  people  brought  their  Bibles 
to  the  meetings,  and  would  learn  the  vast  store  of  in- 
formation contained  within  them  on  any  one  subject 
under  consideration.  It  was  giving  them  the  meat  of 
the  Gospel  in  truth,  and  they  fully  appreciated  it.  By 
the  pointed  remarks  on  the  texts  of  Scripture  read, 
and  the  most  earnest  exhortation  to  duty,  the  people 
early  began  to  take  a  deep  interest  in  the  work,  and 
to  inquire  after  the  truth. 

Within  the  first  week  there  was  a  large  number  of 
persons  who  went  into  the  inquiry  rooms,  and  on  the 
27th  of  ISTovember,  while  Mr.  Moody  was  preaching  on 
the  subject,  The  Son  of  Man  came  to  seek  and  to 
save  that  wliich  was  lost,"  and  Mr.  Sankey  had  sung 
some  of  his  most  captivating  songs,  the  people  seemed 
to  be  moved  as  if  by  a  common  impulse.  Weeping 
and  broken  hearted,  they  rushed  in  droves  to  the  in- 
quiry room,  with  the  question  upon  their  lips,  What 
shall  I  do  to  be  saved  which  surged  up  from  their 
hearts,  like  the  cry  of  one  in  deep  distress.  One  min- 
ister would  have  as  many  as  half  a  dozen  at  a  time,  to 
whom  he  was  explaining  the  way  of  salvation.  On  this 
one  night,  after  but  four  nights  of  service,  fully  one 
hundred  persons  were  in  the  inquiry  room  as  seekers. 

The  noon  prayer  meeting  at  the  same  time  was 
attended  by  about  seven  hundred  persons  daily,  all  of 
whom  took  great  interest  in  the  exercises.  From  this 
time  forward,  the  meetings  were  a  succession  of  tri- 
umphs and  rejoicings.  The  continued  success  so  far 
had  created  a  profound  and  universal  interest  among 
all  classes  of  the  people.  Everywhere  the  powerful 
preaching  of  Mr.  Moody,  and  the  sweet,  attractive 
singing  of  Mr.  Sankey,  were  the  subject  of  conversation. 
In  Christian  homes  throughout  the  city,  the  inmates 
were  becoming  deeply  concerned  about  the  salvation 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


97 


of  their  neighbors,  and  it  was  not  unusual  for  the  com- 
mon conversation  to  turn  on  the  wonderful  work  of 
the  meetings.  The  people  were  thus  fully  i)repared 
for  the  heart-searching  discourses  of  Mr.  Moody,  which 
had  a  telling  effect  at  every  service. 

On  one  occasion,  while  depicting  to  the  unconverted 
the  three  steps  to  hell — neglect — refuse — despise — he 
seemed  to  carry  their  hearts  by  storm,  and  to  mould 
them  to  his  liking.  The  effect  of  the  sermon  was 
overpowering,  opening  the  blind  eyes,  and  portraying 
to  the  wretched  sinners  the  horror  before  them.  Fol- 
lowing this,  when  Mr.  Sankey  sang  Jesus  of  Kaza- 
reth,"  the  great  deep  of  their  hearts  was  broken  up 
and  they  gave  way  to  weeping.  The  whole  congrega- 
tion was  deeply  impressed,  and  many  found  their  way 
to  the  inquiry  room,  where  they  were  pointed  to  the 
Lamb.  During  one  of  the  inquiry  meetings  at  the 
close  of  the  first  week,  a  beautiful  incident  happened 
while  one  of  the  ministers  was  addressing  an  inquirer. 
A  young  girl  rushed  up  to  him,  and  from  a  joyous 
heart  burst  out  with,  I  am  the  girl  you  spoke  to  at 
the  Barclay  Church  and  gave  the  book  to  5  now  I  am 
just  going,  but  could  not  leave  without  coming  to  tell 
you  that  I  have  found  Jesus."  Happy  and  light- 
hearted,  even  the  children  had  caught  the  blessed  in- 
fluence, and  the  transforming  power  of  the  meetings 
had  touched  all  hearts. 

The  next  week's  meetings,  held  in  Broughton  Place 
Church,  were  of  the  most  interesting  character,  and 
gave  evidence  that  the  work  was  extending  and 
deepening.  Eev.  Andrew  Thompson,  one  of  the  most 
earnest  workers  in  the  meetings,  who  had  given  close 
attention  and  noted  every  point  connected  with  them, 
had  this  to  say  in  a  letter  to  one  of  the  i)apers : 

And  now,  at  the  close  of  the  week  of  special  ser- 
5 


98 


MOODY  AISD  SANKEY. 


vices  in  Broughton  Place  Church,  I  wish  to  repeat  the 
statement  in  your  i)aper  which  I  made  on  Monday  in 
the  Assembly  Hall,  that  there  is  no  week  in  my  length- 
ened ministry  upon  which  I  look  back  with  such 
grateful  joy.  I  would  not  for  the  wealth  of  a  world' 
have  the  recollection  of  what  I  have  seen  and  heard 
during  the  past  week  blotted  out  from  my  memory. 
When  Howe  was  chaplain  to  Cromwell  at  Whitehall, 
he  became  weary  of  the  turmoil  and  pomj)  of  the 
palace,  and  wrote  to  his  '  dear  and  honored  brother,' 
Eichard  Baxter,  telling  him  how  much  he  longed  to 
be  back  again  to  his  beloved  work  at  Torrington.  '  I 
have  devoted  myself,'  he  said,  '  to  serve  God  in  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  how  can  I  want  the  x)leasure 
of  hearing  their  cryings  and  complaints  who  have 
come  to  me  under  convictions.'  I  have  shared  with 
many  beloved  brethren  during  the  past  week  in  this 
sacred  pleasure,  and  it  is  like  eating  of  angels'  bread, 
first  to  hear  the  cry  of  conviction,  and  yet  more  to 
hear  at  length  the  utterance  of  the  joy  of  reconcilia- 
tion and  peace  ! 

I  was  much  struck  by  the  variety  among  the  in- 
quirers. There  were  x^i'esent  from  the  old  man  of 
seventy- five  to  the  youth  of  eleven,  soldiers  from  the 
Castle,  students  from  the  University,  the  backsliding, 
the  intemperate,  the  sceptical,  the  rich  and  the  poor, 
the  educated  and  the  uneducated  5  and  in  Iiow  many 
instances  were  the  wounded  healed  and  the  burdened 
released ! " 

But  the  more  successful  the  meetings,  the  more  oppo- 
sition was  developed.  All  sorts  of  objections  were 
urged  against  the  w^ork,  and  the  manner  of  doing 
it.  The  objectors  even  went  so  far  as  to  impugn  tlie 
theological  soundness  of  Mr.  Moody's  belief.  They 
criticised  the  manner  of  conducting  the  meetings. 


TEE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


99 


There  was  too  much  enthusiasm;  the  people  were  con- 
verted too  rapidly;  and  then  they  noised  abroad  that 
the  use  of  the  organ  was  not  in  proper  taste  nor  quite 
the  thing,  and  that  '^Singing  the  Gospel"  was  an 
unauthorized  departure  from  the  true  and  ordained 
way  of  teaching  the  people  the  plan  of  salvation. 
Scores  of  similar  objections  were  raised,  and  the  rudest 
and  most  unseemly  epithets  hurled  at  the  work  and 
the  workers,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  But  little  attention 
was  paid  to  what  was  said;  new  friends  were  raised  up 
on  every  hand ;  the  revival  swept  on  in  its  power  and 
grace;  hundreds  of  souls  were  awakened  and  con- 
verted ;  and  ere  long  the  objectors  were  lost  amid  the 
crow  d  of  true  friends  who  rallied  round  the  Evangelists. 

Some  of  the  ablest  ministers  of  Scotland  came  to 
the  rescue,  and  showed  that  the  work  of  this  revival 
was  but  the  history  of  all  other  great  revivals,  and 
that  when  sinners  became  aroused  to  their  true  condi- 
tion they  were  not  ai)t  to  run  to  carping  objectors  to  be 
taught  the  proper  way  of  being  converted,  but  went  to 
those  who  possessed  the  oracles  of  God  for  direction. 
This  opposition  had  one  good  effect,  however,  in  calling 
to  the  aid  of  the  Evangelists  all  the  really  live  and 
valuable  Christian  people  of  the  place.  For  the  time, 
denominational  lines  were  entirely  broken  down,  and 
ministers  and  their  flocks  did  not  care  so  much  as  to 
the  increase  of  their  own  societies  as  that  sinners  might 
be  converted.  Mr.  Moody  was  very  carefiil  not  to  do 
or  say  anything  that  w^ould  create  strife  between  the 
several  churches,  but  labored  for  the  good  of  all,  irre- 
spective of  the  special  claims  of  any.  This  very  nat- 
urally had  a  good  effect,  and  bound  together  the 
churches  in  strong  sympathy  and  love,  out  of  which  grew 
a  remarkable  paper  entitled  ^'a  week  of  prayer  for 
Scotland,"  which  was  as  follows: 


100 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


^'Edinburgh  is  now  enjoying  signal  manifestations 
of  grace.  Many  of  the  Lord^s  people  are  not  surprised 
at  this.  In  October  and  November  last  they  met  from 
time  to  time  to  pray  for  it.  They  hoped  that  they 
might  have  a  visit  from  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey, 
of  America,  but  they  very  earnestly  besought  the  Lord 
that  He  would  deliver  them  from  depending  upon  them, 
or  on  any  instrumentality,  and  that  He  himself  would 
come  with  them,  or  come  before  them.  He  has  gra- 
ciously answered  that  prayer,  and  His  own  presence 
is  now  wonderfully  manifested,  and  is  felt  to  be  among 
them.  God  is  so  affecting  the  hearts  of  men  that  the 
Free  Church  Assembly  Hall,  the  largest  public  building 
in  Edinburgh,  is  crowded  every  day  at  noon  with  a 
meeting  for  prayer;  and  that  building,  along  with  the 
Established  Church  Assembly  Hall,  overflows  every 
evening,  when  the  Gospel  is  preached.  But  the  num- 
bers that  attend  are  not  the  most  remarkable  feature. 
It  is  the  presence  and  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 
solemn  awe,  the  prayerful,  believing,  expectant  spirit, 
the  anxious  inquiry  of  unsaved  souls,  and  the  longing 
of  believers  to  grow  more  like  Christ — their  hungering 
and  thirsting  after  holiness.  The  Hall  of  the  Tolbootli 
Church,  and  the  Free  High  Church,  are  nightly 
attended  by  anxious  inquirers.  All  denominational 
and  social  distinctions  are  entirely  merged.  All  this 
is  of  the  God  of  Grace. 

Another  proof  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  presence  is, 
that  a  desire  has  been  felt  and  expressed  in  these 
meetings,  that  all  Scotland  should  share  the  blessing 
that  the  capital  is  now  enjoying. 

"It  is  impossible  that  our  beloved  friends  from 
America  should  visit  every  place,  or  even  all  those  to 
which  they  have  been  urged  to  go.  But  this  is  not 
necessary.   The  Lord  is  willing  himself  to  go  wher^ 


THE  WORK  m  SCOTLAKD. 


101 


ever  He  is  truly  invited.  He  is  waiting.  The  Lord's 
people  in  Edinburgh^  therefore,  would  affectionately 
entreat  all  their  brethren  throughout  the  land  to  be 
importunate  in  invoking  Him  to  come  to  them,  and  to 
dismiss  all  doubt  as  to  His  being  willing  to  do  so. 

The  WEEK  OF  PRAYER,  from  4th  to  11th  January 
next,  affords  a  favorable  opportunity  for  combined 
action.  In  every  town  and  handet  let  there  be  a  daily 
meeting  for  prayer  during  that  week,  and  also  as 
often  as  may  be  before  it.  In  Edinburgh  the  hour  is 
from  twelve  to  one,  and  where  the  same  hour  suits 
other  places,  it  would  be  pleasing  to  meet  together  in 
faith  at  the  throne  of  grace.  But  let  the  prayers  not 
be  formal;  unbelieving,  unexpecting,  but  short,  fer- 
vent, earnest  entreaties,  mingled  with  abounding 
praise  and  frequent  short  exhortations;  and  let  them 
embrace  the  whole  world,  that  God's  way  may  be 
known  upon  earth,  His  saving  health  among  all 
nations.  If  the  country  will  thus  fall  on  their 
knees,  the  God  who  has  filled  our  national  history 
with  the  wonders  of  His  love,  will  come  again  and  sur- 
prise even  the  strongest  believers  by  the  unprece- 
dented tokens  of  His  grace.  '  Call  unto  me  and  I  will 
answer  thee,  and  show  thee  great  and  mighty  things 
which  thou  knowest  not.' " 

This  was  signed  by  a  large  number  of  the  most  emi- 
nent ministers  and  laymen. 

After  the  call  for  prayer,  the  meetings  went  on  as 
usual  with  rapidly  increasing  power,  an  exceedingly 
interesting  and  instructive  one  being  held  on  Decem- 
ber 13th,  when  there  were  about  one  thousand  chil- 
dren and  young  people  present  at  the  noon-day  meet- 
ing. Mr.  Moody  addressed  them  from,  ^'I  will  hold 
thee  by  thy  right  hand,"  illustrating  it  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  wiif  the  hearts  of  the  little  ones.  ^Mr.  San- 


102 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


key's  singiug  was  peculiarly  affecting,  melting  their 
hearts,  and  drawing  them  to  the  love  of  a  protecting 
and  guiding  Saviour.  There  were  many  precious 
cases  of  trust  in  the  all  atoning  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
and  all  concurred  in  the  sentiment  that  it  was  a  meet- 
ing of  lasting  benefit. 

In  order  to  accommodate  the  humbler  classes,  a 
meeting  was  appointed  for  the  Grass  Market,  on  the 
south  of  which  is  the  Corn  Exchange,  a  large  building 
capable  of  holding  over  5,000  persons.  On  the  eve- 
ning of  the  28th  of  December,  a  most  extraordinary 
meeting  was  held.  Mr.  Moody  preached  with  great 
power,  and  the  singing  by  Mr.  Sankey  of  several  of 
his  favorite  songs  stirred  the  audience  to  the  highest 
pitch  of  enthusiasm.  After  this  meeting  was  over, 
hundreds  pressed  up  to  the  Free  Assembly  Hall,  and 
when  the  question  was  put,  if  any  were  present  anx- 
ious about  their  souls,  and  wishing  to  be  saved,  the 
whole  assemby  rose  to  their  feet.  E"one  present  had 
ever  witnessed  anything  like  it,  and  Mr.  Moody  said 
he  was  more  impressed  by  it  than  anything  he  had 
ever  seen. 

One  of  the  most  precious  and  affecting  meetings  of 
the  whole  course  in  Edinburgh,  was  the  watch  meet- 
ing" held  on  the  night  of  the  31st  of  December.  The 
Free  Assembly  Hall  was  crowded  to  overflowing  by 
seven  o'clock,  and  was  so  kept  until  after  midnight, 
during  which  time  the  services  were  grand  and  inspir- 
ing. Mr.  Moody's  remarks  were  of  the  greatest  in- 
terest, and  Mr.  Sankej^'s  songs  of  the  most  powerful 
character,  keeping  the  large  audience  in  raptures.  The 
intense  interest,  and  the  awe  striking  solemnity  of  the 
meeting  increased  as  midnight  neared.  Five  minutes 
before  twelve  all  sound  was  hushed.  The  distant 
shouts  oi  the  revelers  outside  could  be  heard.  Kneel- 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


103 


ing,  or  with  bowed  lieadSj  the  whole  great  meetmg 
with  one  accord  pra3^ed  in  silence,  and  while  they  did 
so  the  city  clocks  successively  struck  the  hour.  The 
hushed  silence  continued  five  minutes  more.  Mr. 
Moody  gave  out  the  last  two  verses  of  the  hymn, 

Jesus,  Lover  of  my  soul,"  and  all  stood  and  sang, 
"Thou,  O,  Christ,  art  all  I  want,  more  than  all  in 
Thee  I  find,  etc."  After  a  brief  prayer  the  benediction 
was  pronounced,  and  all  began,  like  one  family,  to 
wish  each  other  a  happy  ^sTew  Year. 

'Now  commenced  the  week  of  i)rayer,  the  first  meet- 
ing being  held  on  January  4,  1874,  when  the  Corn  Ex- 
change was  packed  full  of  an  interested  audience. 
During  that  day,  the  Evangelists  had  the  pleasure  of 
instructing  about  15,000  people.  Several  meetings 
were  held,  at  each  of  which  the  Jubilee  singers  parti- 
cipated, and,  with  Mr.  Sankey,  made  the  service  of 
song  very  delightful  and  powerful.  All  through  the 
week,  the  services  were  very  interesting,  attracting 
vast  crowds  of  people,  many  of  whom  were  soundly 
converted,  and  their  usefulness  turned  into  a  new 
channel. 

On  January  13th,  some  very  large  meetings  were 
held  in  Berwick-on-Tweed.  The  first  meeting  began 
at  noon,  during  which  time  short  prayers  were  offered 
by  several  persons  present.  Moody  and  Sankey  ar- 
rived from  Edinburgh  shortly  after  the  meeting  com- 
menced. Mr.  Moody  delivered  a  fine  address,  closing 
it  with  the  touching  narrative  of  the  return  of  the 
prodigal ;  and  Mr.  Sankey  immediately  sang  with 
thrilling  effect  "  The  Prodigal  Child,"  which  took  the 
vast  congregation  by  surprise,  and  most  powerfully 
affected  them.  In  the  evening  another  immense 
crowd  was  in  the  hall,  at  the  close  of  which  a  large 
meeting  was  held  in  Wallace  Green  Church,  the  ser- 


104 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


vices  of  wliicli  affected  the  audience  in  a  very  marked 
manner. 

The  close  of  the  meetings  in  Edinburgh  was  the 
occasion  for  the  people  to  evince  the  deep  interest  they 
took  in  the  work  carried  on  for  their  conversion. 
Households  which  had  not  before  known  of  the  abid- 
ing peace  found  in  the  Christian  religion^  now  lifted 
their  voices  in  songs  of  thanksgivings  and  praises, 
that  God  had  directed  the  two  American  brethren  to 
their  city.  The  truth  is^  these  tAvo  unassuming  Chris- 
tian laborers  had  won  the  affections  and  abiding  love 
of  these  Scotcli  Christians.  Mr.  Moody's  plan  of 
making  the  Bible  speak  for  itself,  by  quoting  passage 
after  passage  on  a  certain  subject,  and  commenting  on 
them,  thus  the  more  fully  bringing  out  the  truth  and 
depth  of  every  lesson  taught,  was  of  great  use  among 
these  Christians,  who  admired  the  plan  and  heartily 
fell  in  with  it. 

It  is  calculated  that  fully  30,000  persons  were 
preached  to  in  this  city  ^  and  the  work  of  grace  was 
powerful,  permeating  every  part  of  society  and  reach- 
ing all  classes,  and  was  most  extraordinary  in  its 
immediate  effects  upon  the  x)eople.  The  young  x>eople 
from  the  schools  came  in  crowds  to  the  meetings,  and 
the  interest  became  so  great  among  them,  that  every- 
thing else  was  abandoned,  so  far  as  possible,  that  the 
meetings  might  be  attended.  So  great  was  the  attrac- 
tion of  the  singing,  and  its  sweetening  iniiuence  on  the 
minds  of  the  people  5  and  so  powerful  and  convincing 
was  the  preaching,  that  hundreds  of  young  people 
crowded  the  meetings,  who  had  been  before  accus- 
tomed to  attending  the  theatres,  operas,  etc.  They 
now  found  more  interest  in  the  simple  recital  of  the 
way  of  life  by  Mr.  Moody,  than  they  could  find  in  the 
most  finished  acting  on  the  stage  5  and  they  found 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


105 


more  delight  in  the  simple  rendering  of  the  Old^  old 
story/'  by  Mr.  Sankey,  than  in  the  most  absorbing 
operas  of  the  day. 

The  influence  of  their  teaching  was  such^  that  there 
was  scarcely  such  a  thing  as  sectarianism  left  in  the 
city.  Those  formerly  at  greatest  distance  from  each 
other  in  Christian  feeling,  now  sat  side  by  side  on  the 
same  platform,  cordially  cooperating  with  their  Amer- 
ican brethren  in  winning  souls,  irrespective  of  denomi- 
national distinctions.  What  the  combined  ecclesiasti- 
cal power  of  the  nation  could  not  do  in  Christian  union, 
the  grace  of  God,  through  the  meetings,  effected  in  a 
few  short  weeks. 

This  was,  perhaps,  the  most  glorious  part  of  the 
work.  The  conversion  of  hundreds  of  souls  was  an 
event  that  should  rejoice  the  heart  of  the  Christian 
world,  but  here  was  a  large  city  so  operated  upon,  that 
all  its  evangelical  churches  came  together  as  one,  and 
the  power  that  they  now  unitedly  possess  to  reach  the 
people,  will  doubtless  result  in  the  accomplishment  of 
a  great  deal  of  good. 

The  farewell  meetings  in  the  city  were  immense,  no 
houses  being  adequate  to  hold  the  people  who  at- 
tended them.  The  entire  people  seemed  to  bid  them 
God  speed  in  their  nol^le  work,  and  they  left  the  city 
with  the  most  fervent  prayers  for  their  success  in 
other  fields  of  labor. 


CHAPTEE  III. 

DUNDEE  AND  GlLASaOW. 

Before  commencing  the  meetings  in  Glasgow,  a 
two  weeks'  meeting  was  held  in  Dundee,  beginning  on 
the  21st  of  January,  and  closing  on  the  6th  of  Feb- 

-  5  * 


106 


MOOOY  AND  SANKEY. 


ruary.  The  services  were  opened  here  by  a  united 
prayer  meeting  in  the  Steeple  Church,  over  2,000  per- 
sons being  in  attendance,  and  crowds  were  compelled 
to  go  away.  Mr.  Moody  opened  the  services  by  a  very 
excellent  address  on  the  subject,  To  every  man  his 
work/^  which  had  the  effect  of  establishing  a  bond  of 
sympathy  between  the  Evangelists  and  the  Christian 
workers  in  the  town.  A  noon-day  prayer  meeting  was 
held  the  next  day  in  Free  St.  Andrew's  church,  which 
was  continued  from  day  to  day  with  great  profit,  and 
during  their  entire  stay  these  meetings  were  well  at- 
tended, and  the  ijeople  were  stirred  to  their  utmost 
depths.  The  efforts  of  every  meeting  were  blessed,  and 
hundreds  of  anxious,  burdened  souls  waited  every 
night  for  Christian  counsel. 

On  Sunday,  the  first  of  February,  remarkable  meet- 
ings were  held,  one  in  Kinnaird  Hall  in  the  morning, 
and  two  services  in  the  evening  and  night.  The  Hall 
accommodates  about  2,000  people,  and  at  all  the  meet- 
ings was  crowded,  but  at  night  the  scene  was  one  never 
to  be  forgotten.  The  Hall  was  not  only  crowded,  but 
the  passage  ways  to  it  were  filled  with  an  excited  crowd 
of  people,  all  intent  on  securing  a  place  to  hear. 
The  preaching  of  Mr.  Moody  seemed  to  have  a  pecu- 
liarly powerful  effect,  and  many  were  brought  under 
the  deepest  conviction.  Mr.  Sankey's  delightful  sing- 
ing was  distinctly  heard  in  every  part  of  the  building, 
and  filled  every  heart  with  its  richness  and  sweetness. 

In  the  Bible  readings,  the  effect  was  astonishing  at 
times.  That  on  ''The  Blood''  was  masterly  and  con- 
vincing. No  report  can  convey  an  adequate  concep- 
tion of  the  impression  made  upon  the  audience.  Some 
were  weeping  on  the  street  after  the  meeting,  and 
needed  to  be  supported  on  their  way  home  by  their 
friends.  An  address  on  the  freeness  of  the  Gospel  was 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


107 


one  of  the  sunniest  and  tenderest  settings  forth  of  the 
grace  that  abounds  free  for  all,  that  those  people  had 
ever  listened  to.  There  were  many  inquirers.  Be- 
tween one  and  two  hundred  remained  to  be  conversed 
with  every  night;  besides  there  were  many  converted 
who  never  made  their  way  to  the  inquiry  rooms.  The 
meetings  were  full  of  tender  incidents  of  the  force  and 
power  of  the  preached  Gospel.  Husbands  and  wives 
sat  side  by  side,  and  with  tearful  eyes  and  broken 
hearts,  asked  the  same  momentous  question.  In  one 
case,  a  whole  family  of  six  were  seeking  the  way  to  the 
feet  of  Jesus.  The  eldest,  a  grown-up  girl,  was  re- 
joicing in  Christ ;  the  others,  three  girls  and  two  boys, 
from  eight  to  sixteen  years  of  age,  were  weeping  most 
bitterly,  and  entreating  the  Lord  to  convert  them.  In 
every  instance,  these  children  traced  their  lirst  im- 
pressions to  the  teachings  of  their  mother.  At  one  of 
the  union  jjrayer  meetings,  it  was  stated  that  a  miser- 
able drunkard,  whose  case  was  regarded  as  utterly 
hopeless  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  especially  by  those 
who  had  labored  for  his  recovery,  went  to  one  of  the 
meetings.  In  the  course  of  his  address  that  evening, 
Mr.  Moody  said  that  the  grace  of  God  could  save  the 
worst  of  drunkards.  The  poor  man  felt  as  if  the 
preacher  was  speaking  all  the  time  to  him.  That  night 
he  closed  with  the  offer  of  mercy,  and  went  home  feel- 
ing as  if  he  was  a  new  man.  On  arriving  at  his  own 
house  his  children  lied  from  him,  as  they  were  accus- 
tomed to  do  on  account  of  his  cruelty.  But  he  called 
his  wife  and  little  ones  around  him,  told  them  what 
the  Lord  had  done  for  him,  and  concluded  by  saying, 
let  us  pra3^  For  the  first  time,  he  thus  knelt  with  his 
family  at  the  throne  of  grace. 

An  affecting  incident  was  related  at  one  of  the  prayer 
meetings,  of  a  little  girl,  who  was  seriously  hurt  in  a 


108 


MOOBY  AND  SANKEY. 


railway  accident.  A  letter  was  received  conveying 
the  information  as  followiB,  which  was  presented  and 
read  by  one  of  the  ministers  present : 

"On  reaching  the  spot  [the  scene  of  the  accident], 
it  liapx^ened  that  I  was  led  to  visit  first  Miss  Margaret 
Lindsay,  a  yonng  girl,  a  pupil  in  the  Free  Church  Nor- 
nuil  Seminary,  Edinburgh.  Her  injuries  are  very  seri- 
ous ;  both  legs  broken,  and  a  rib,  her  face  much  cut, 
and  her  system  has  received  a  severe  shock.  But  the 
gentle  Christian  heroism  with  whicli  she  has  borne 
her  acute  sufferings  has  drawn  forth  the  admiration  of 
all,  doctors  included.  She  told  me  she  had  attended 
many  of  your  meetings  in  Edinburgh,  a:nd  had  received 
saving  light  and  life  there.  She  is  so  happy,  resting 
in  child-like  faith  upon  the  finished  work  of  Jesus 
Christ.  '  Will  you  tell  Mr.  Moody  from  me,'  she  said, 
^how  much  I  owe,  under  God,  to  him.' 

"Then  she  si>oke  of  you  [Mr.  Sankey],  and  said  you 
would  remember  her,  and  that  you  had  recommended 
a  hymn  book  of  PMliips's.  This  I  recovered  from  the 
debris^  its  pages  stained  with  her  own  blood.  At  one 
time,  when  we  tliouglit  she  had  fallen  into  a  sleej), 
eagerly  wished  and  prayed  for  by  us,  we  moved  away 
out  of  sight.  But  in  a  few  minutes  we  heard  her,  in 
low,  gentle  tones,  singing  to  herself  the  words: 

*  Nothing,  either  great  or  small, 

Remains  for  me  to  do; 
Jesus  died,  and  paid  it  all*— 
All  the  debt  I  owe.' 

She  is  so  contented  and  happy,  thinking  more  of  others 
than  herself.  Her  main  care  was  the  shock  to  her 
^  dear  mamma.'  '  Tell  her,  but  don^t  tell  her  Fm  very 
ill.'  At  times,  when  the  pain  became  excruciating,  she 
apologized  so  sweetly  for  crying  out.  When  the  doctor 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


109 


had  to  sit  and  dress  the  bone  later  in  the  day,  her  calm 
endurance  and  serenity  were  beyond  description.'^ 

The  same  spirit  of  unity  prevailed  among  the  people 
here  as  at  Edinburgh,  and  the  same  benefits  resulted  to 
the  church  organizations.  The  great  popularity  of  the 
Bible  readings  added  very  largely  to  the  effectiveness 
of  the  meetings,  and  did  much  in  bringing  about  an 
era  of  good  feeling  among  all  classes  of  people.  The 
cordial  feeling  engendered  among  the  people  as  neigh- 
bors was  very  marked,  and  was  one  of  the  most  em- 
phatic evidences  of  the  work  of  the  Spirit  evidenced  in 
the  place.  Everywhere  they  greeted  each  other  with 
cheerful  faces  and  pleasant  smiles.  Formality  was 
forgotten  in  the  supreme  delight  of  fraternal  love, 
brought  about  under  the  sweetening  influences  of  the 
meetings. 

The  work  of  evangelization  was  begun  in  Glasgow 
on  the  8th  of  February,  1874.  The  great  work  already 
done  in  Edinburgh  had  been  heard  of  in  Glasgow,  and 
the  way  was  fully  prepared  for  the  two  eminent  teach- 
ers. In  the  morning  of  this  day  a  large  concourse  of 
people  greeted  them  in  the  City  Hall.  For  a  month 
previous  to  their  arrival  special  prayer  had  been  made 
for  the  success  of  their  labors,  and  the  first  meeting 
held  was  a  most  inspiring  one.  About  three  thousand 
Sunday  school  teachers  composed  the  main  part  of  the 
audience,  and  thus,  at  the  very  beginning  of  their 
meetings,  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  had  the  support 
and  encouragement  of  the  most  efficient  Christian 
workers  of  the  city. 

It  was  a  momentous  occasion,  fraught  with  extra- 
ordinary interest,  and  the  scene  witnessed  was  one  not 
seen  in  ar  generation.  These  thoughtful  Christian 
teachers,  of  all  ages  and  both  sexes,  receiving  with  the 
most  cordial  approval  the  long  looked  for  brethren, 


110 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


now  hung  upon  their  words  with  rapture,  anxious  to 
be  instructed,  and  hearts  and  hands  ready  for  work. 
The  commencement  of  the  work  here,  it  is  thus  seen, 
was  under  the  most  favorable  auspices.  IS^ot  only 
were  the  three  thousand  teachers  anxious  for  the  work, 
and  in  full  accord  with  it,  but  the  ministers  of  the 
city,  with  eminent  laymen,  gave  their  encouragement, 
and  it  only  seemed  to  be  necessary  to  press  forward 
and  possess  the  laud. 

The  first  meetings  of  the  course  were  held  in  a 
church  building  of  the  Established  Church,  where 
were  congregated  ministers  of  all  other  evangelical 
churches.  What  had  required  months  of  work  in  other 
places  was  gained  at  once  in  this  city,  a  spirit  of  union 
among  the  churches,  and  a  willingness  to  sink  denomi- 
national differences  for  the  good  of  the  cause.  The 
evening  meeting  was  one  of  great  power  and  signal 
manifestations  of  the  presence  of  the  Master  in  the 
work.  The  meeting  was  announced  to  commence  at 
half-past  six  o'clock,  but  more  than  an  hour  before  the 
time  had  arrived  the  hall  was  crowded  to  its  full  capa- 
city, and  three  churches  besides  were  filled  with  the 
anxious  multitudes  who  could  not  get  into  the  hall. 
Mr.  Moody  preached  a  powerful  sermon,  urging  in  a 
masterly  manner  the  claims  of  the  Gospel  upon  his 
congregation,  illustrated  in  a  forcible,  original  way, 
and  enforced  by  all  the  energy  of  his  soul.  Mr. 
Sankey's  singing  was  characterized  by  its  usual  im- 
pressive effects,  making  tender  every  heart,  and  ren- 
dering them  ready  for  the  reception  of  the  divine  truth. 
All  agreed  that  it  was  indeed  preaching  the  Gospel  by 
singing,  and  it  was  no  less  powerful  than  the  usual 
preaching. 

The  next  day  the  daily  noon  prayer  meeting  was 
inaugurated,  being  held  in  the  United  Presbyterian 


THE  WORK  m  SCOTLAND. 


Ill 


Church,  which  was  capable  of  accommodating  about 
1,500  people.  Mr.  Moody  conducted  the  meeting, 
making  some  heart  searching  remarks,  principally 
dwelling  on  the  point  that  they  were  awaiting  the 
pleasure  of  the  Lord  whose  will  they  were  ready  to  fol- 
low. The  house  was  full,  and  the  singing  was  a 
specially  interesting  feature  of  the  hour.  A  large  num- 
ber of  singers  from  the  several  churches  were  in  attend- 
ance, and  each  one  did  his  utmost  to  make  this  part 
of  the  meeting  a  glorious  success,  and  they  succeeded. 
The  meeting  was  full  of  life  and  spirit,  and  the  greatest 
degree  of  solemnity  pervaded  the  large  assemblage. 
It  was  indeed  a  place  of  power  and  the  peojple  enjoyed 
it.  Much  interest  was  added  to  the  meetings  by  the 
presence  of  ministers  and  friends  from  other  places — 
the  towns  and  country  around  sending  in  delegations, 
and  some  even  came  from  Edinburgh.  The  presence 
of  these  brethren,  who  brought  news  of  the  work  in 
other  localities,  was  encouraging,  and  influence  upon 
them  was  not  less  valuable.  These  people  who  came 
from  abroad,  from  the  villages  near  Glasgow  and  from 
country  places,  carried  back  with  thein  to  their  homes, 
and  their  neighbors,  an  account  of  what  Glasgow  was 
receiving;  and  then,  as  if  endowed  with  the  spirit  of 
true  missionaries,  they  set  to  work  in  their  own  home 
meetings,  the  result  being,  a  most  thorough  and  sweep- 
ing revival  lit  ui)  the  whole  adjacent  country.  It  really 
seemed  as  if  Scotland  was  afire ;  and  when  the  news 
was  carried  back  to  the  Glasgow  meetings  that  these 
several  i^laces  were  being  blessed,  it  made  the  hearts 
of  all  rejoice,  and  brought  tears  of  joy  to  the  eyes  of 
the  multitudes  together. 

Individual  instances  were  related  of  how  the  fruits 
of  the  great  work  reached  the  remotest  districts. 
Young  men  receiving  the  gift  of  tongues  from  a  heart 


112 


MOODY  AND  SANKBY. 


all  on  fire  with  love,  went  to  their  homes  in  distant 
places  and  there  created  such  an  interest  by  the  mere 
recital  of  the  oft  told  story,  that  scores  of  others  fell  in 
with  the  truth  and  were  likewise  converted.  ^^In  one 
of  the  country  parishes/'  said  a  writer  in  the  "  Chriy. 
tian,"  "  a  minister's  wife,  and  a  friend  with  her,  were 
on  a  country  road,  and  had  been  talking  of  a  family 
where  the  mother,  two  sons,  and  two  daughters,  had 
been  brought  to  Christ,  but  the  father  had  not,  though 
concerned.  Nor  could  he  be  easily  reached,  for  he  was 
busily  occupied.  That  very  day,  however,  as  they 
I)assed  near  a  barn,  there  came  out  a  man,  who  was  at 
once  recognized  as  the  person  they  wished  to  meet. 
One  of  the  two  went  to  him,  saying — 

'Are  you  i)leased  to  let  all  your  family  go  under  the 
covert  of  the  atoning  blood,  and  you  be  left  under 
wrath  f 

"  He  replied,  'No;  I  want  to  be  under  the  blood,  but 
how  am  I  to  get  there,  an  old  man  like  me f 

"  He  was  pointed  to  that  word  (Rom.  v.),  'When  we 
were  yet  without  strength^  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly 
and  the  following  conversation  ensued: — 

'  Who  are  they  for  whom  Jesus  died  V 

'  Sinners.' 

'But  where  are  these  sinners f 

'There  is  one  standing  beside  you.' 

'Well,  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly.' 

He  looked,  and  a  smile  broke  upon  his  face. 

'Me,  me,  me!  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly;  I  am  un- 
godly;  Christ  died  for  such  as  me.  I  see  it,  I  see  it !  I 
always  believed  that  in  the  general,  but  now  I  can 
claim  it  for  myself — ^'  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly.'' ' 

"  He  clasped  his  hands  together,  and  cried  out, '  Glad 
tidings  of  great  joy  !'  He  had  got  a  wonderful  grip  of 
that  word,  '  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly.'   The  spirit 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


113 


had  made  known  to  him  the  things  freely  given  us  of 
God;' 

The  requests  for  prayer  from  different  persons  and 
places,  were  of  the  most  touching  character,  and  made 
a  deep  impression  on  the  minds  of  all  Christians  that 
their  work  was  sorely  needed.  It  was  affecting  in  the 
extreme,  to  hear  mothers,  in  broken  tones,  requesting 
prayers  for  wandering  and  erring  children  5  wives  for 
drunken  husbands ;  and  perhaps  before  the  requests 
were  fairly  made  known,  a  strain  of  thanksgiving 
would  be  raised,  over  the  conversion  of  a  dear  friend, 
a  relative,  or  some  one  specially  prayed  for.  These 
meetings  were  indeed  a  glorious  feast  to  the  Christian, 
a  haven  of  rest  for  the  inquirer,  and  a  delightful  place 
for  instruction  for  those  who  were  undecided  as  to 
their  true  course. 

In  the  early  stages  of  the  meeting  the  revival  influ- 
ence had  become  great,  and  so  permeated  itself  among 
the  masses,  that  it  was  received  with  great  favor. 
During  the  meetings  of  the  first  week,  Mr.  Moody  and 
Mr.  Sankey  were  in  tlie  northeast  part  of  the  city,  in 
Barony  Churches.  Both  were  filled  night  after  night, 
and  many  inquirers  remained  at  the  close.  Mr. 
Moody's  address  on  the  '•^  Son  of  Man  is  come  to  seek 
and  to  save  that  which  is  lost,''  was  powerful  in  its 
effects,  and  when  Mr.  Sankey  sang,  There  is  life  for 
a  look  at  the  Crucified  One,"  many  were  affected,  and 
tears  trickled  down  their  faces  when  he  sang,  '-^  Jesus 
of  Nazareth  passeth  by."  One  young  woman  was 
brought  under  conviction  and  converted  by  Mr.  San- 
key singing  I  am  so  glad  that  Jesus  loves  me."  On 
Saturday  14th,  a  meeting  was  held  specially  for  the 
children,  when  the  church  was  filled  with  young  per- 
sons, among  whom  there  were  many  conversions. 

Perhaps  one  of  the  most  impressive  meetings  up  to 


114 


MOODY  AKD  SANKEY. 


this  time,  was  that  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  of 
Sunday  15th,  held  for  men  only.  They  were  packed 
into  every  corner ;  and  outside  were  nearly  as  many 
in  vain  seeking  entrance.  Mr.  Moody's  subject 
was  Whosoever" — salvation  absolutely  free.  The 
mass  of  men  listened  with  intense  interest  5  now  and 
then  you  could  see  a  tear,  or  the  head  bent  in  deep 
emotion.  When  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the  hymn,  I  am 
coming  to  the  cross,"  nothing  could  exceed  the  rapt, 
silent  attention.   When  he  came  to  the  verse — 

*'In  the  promises  I  trust, 
Now  I  feel  the  blood  applied ; 
I  am  prostrate  in  the  dust; 
I  with  Christ  am  crucified,'^ 

not  a  head  in  the  vast  multitude  moved,  every  face 
expressed  deep  feeling.  At  the  close,  when  an  invita- 
tion was  given  to  those  who  minded  to  remain  for 
twenty  minutes  simply  for  prayer,  above  one  thou- 
sand remained. 

Mr.  Moody  held  his  Bible  readings  in  the  afternoons, 
and  they  were  throDged,  giving  evidence  that  they 
had  taken  a  deep  hold  on  the  hearts  of  the  people.  It 
is  a  noteworthy  fact,  that  wherever  God's  word  was 
honored,  rich  blessings  fell  upon  those  who  honored  it; 
for  attention  to  the  word  of  God,  and  the  true  sense  of 
it,  as  Mr.  Moody  remarked  at  one  of  the  meetings,  was 
characteristic  of  ancient  revivals,  and  the  same  rule 
has  always  held  good.  It  has  been  stated  as  among 
the  most  telling  incidents  of  the  meetings,  that  men 
were  instantly  changed  into  a  better  and  more  honest 
life.  A  man  went  to  pay  a  debt  long  due;  surprise 
was  expressed  at  his  coming  on  that  errand,  but  he 
explained  all  by  saying,  ^^I  was  brought  to  Christ  last 
week  !" 

A  prominent  feature  of  the  meetings  was  the  earnest 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAMD. 


115 


labor  given  to  them  by  Christian  x)rofessors.  The 
work  of  converting  and  reclaiming  first  took  hold  of 
those  who  had  been  instructed  to  some  extent  in  the 
Scriptures,  and  generally  regarded  as  the  most  intel- 
ligent among  the  church  going  j)eople.  Thus^  having 
already  been  well  taught  in  the  Word  of  God,  they 
were  peculiarly  fitted  to  teach  others.  In  the  very 
commencement  of  the  meetings,  the  number  of  inquir- 
ers was  so  great,  that  it  was  out  of  the  question  for 
the  two  Evangelists  to  personally  instruct  them,  so 
that  other  Christian  workers  of  intelligence  were  put 
to  the  work.  It  was  properly  systematized,  the  differ- 
ent workers  having  separate  seats  or  rooms,  and  thus 
all  liability  of  interruption  or  diversion  was  obviated. 
'No  drones  were  allowed  in  this  busy  hive,  and  such 
was  the  spirit  of  Avork,  and  the  intense  love  for  it,  that 
an  idler  could  not  have  lived  long  in  the  atmosphere 
around  him.    He  must  work  or  get  out  of  the  way. 

On  Sunday  the  22d  of  February,  immense  meetings 
were  held,  and  at  night,  it  is  estimated,  over  ten  thou- 
sand persons  had  the  Gospel  preached  to  them.  It 
was  a  day  of  rare  interest  and  power  throughout,  not 
a  minute  of  the  meetings  flagging  in  the  least^  but  all 
so  full  of  the  presence  of  the  Spirit,  that  conversions 
were  numbered  by  the  scores.  The  meetings  follow- 
ing during  the  week  were  of  increasing  power,  and 
on  Wednesday  a  service  was  held  that  cannot  be 
estimated  as  to  the  good  done.  ISTearly  two  hundred 
young  men  remained  for  prayers,  and  their  case  occu- 
pied the  labors  of  the  workers  until  after  midnight. 
It  was  indeed  a  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord. 

During  these  special  meetings  for  the  young  men, 
an  Irish  youth,  on  his  way  to  test  the  gayeties  of 
Glasgow,  and  learn  something  of  its  theatrical  life, 


116 


MOODY  AND  SANKET. 


was  led  by  a  spirit  of  curiosity  to  attend  the  meetings 
in  progress.  His  mind  was  filled  with  thoughts  of 
gayer  scenes  than  the  ser\aces  of  a  revival  meeting, 
but  he  became  interested  in  the  preaching,  and 
charmed  by  the  singing  of  the  Gospel  5  and  when 
opportunity  offered  he  took  his  place  among  those 
who  desired  to  be  prayed  for.  Like  many  another 
bafiied  seeker,  doubts  appeared  in  his  mind,  and  he 
asked  himself  the  question,  shall  I  be  able  to  follow 
the  life  of  a  Christian  ?  The  doubt  was  soon  removed 
when  he  was  told  that  the  same  power  that  saves  a 
soul  is  able  to  keep  it,  and  he  went  on  his  way  rejoic- 
ing, in  the  new  found  source  of  pleasure. 

Every  night  at  9  o'clock  the  young  men  met  for 
prayers,  and  at  one  of  these  Mr.  Moody  suggested  the 
duty  of  confessing  Christ.  He  declared  it  to  be  the 
duty  of  converts  to  let  the  world  know  that  they  had 
entered  upon  a  new  life.  The  experiences  related  were 
of  absorbing  delight  to  all  who  heard  them. 

They  all  testified  to  the  thoroughness  of  the  work 
in  their  hearts,  and  that  the  peace  and  joy  flowing 
therefrom  were  most  satisfactory.  One  in  speaking, 
gave  a  graphic  account  of  the  power  of  Mr.  Moody 
when  personally  addressing  seekers  : 

Said  he,  "  I  had  been  seeking  Christ  a  long  time. 
That  night,  when  I  was  going  away  without  relief,  Mr. 
Moody  came  up,  and  took  me  kindly  by  the  hand.  He 
looked  at  me — I  might  say  he  put  his  two  eyes  right 
through  mine — and  asked  me  if  I  Avould  take  Christ 
now.    I  could  not  speak,  but  my  heart  said,  yes." 

Another  young  man  spoke  and  dwelt  upon  his  state 
a  few  days  previous,  and  how  miserable  he  was  several 
days  after  his  conviction,  not  being  able  to  realize  the 
relief  he  was  so  ardently  seeking  for.  He  was  led  to 
read  the  following  words  in  John  iii,  36,     He  that 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


117 


believeth  on  the  Son  liath  everlasting  life/'  and  soon 
he  was  in  the  fall  enjojanent  of  pardon. 

Perhaps  nothing*  more  affecting  was  witnessed  dur- 
ing the  meetings,  than  the  services  held  for  prayer  for 
the  children.  On  one  day,  fathers  met  together^  and 
there  lifted  their  hearts  in  prayer  and  supplication  for 
the  salvation  of  their  children.  The  next  day^  at  the 
same  hour,  the  mothers  met  for  the  same  purpose,  and 
the  following  day  a  meeting  of  sisters  was  held,  fill- 
ing the  church  full  of  a  devout  assembly. 

Incidents  of  progress  in  the  services  were  often 
related,  to  the  great  edification  and  encouragement  of 
those  engaged  in  them.  One  person,  several  miles 
from  town,  sent  for  four  tickets  of  admission  to  the 
meetings,  in  order  that  he  and  his  friends,  anxious  for 
their  salvation,  might  there  seek  for  the  desired  bless- 
ing. A  lady  from  Switzerland  asked  for  prayers  for 
her  own  conversion,  stating  that  she  had  been  cured 
of  a  disease  of  thirteen  years'  standing  through  the 
instrumentality  of  prayer,  and  felt  satisfied  tbat  He 
who  cured  her  bodily  ills,  could  also  give  relief  to  her 
burdened  soul.  Mr.  Sankey  received  the  following 
letter  from  a  friend  in  Edinburgh,  which  gives  a  fair 
idea  of  the  kind  of  work  resulting  from  the  revivals  : 
"  I  have  such  good  news  to  tell  you.  When  you  were 
here,  you  wanted  me  to  write  to  my  sister  about  Jesus 
and  coming  to  Him ;  but  my  old  sinful  heart  went 
dead  against  it.  Dr.  S.,  however,  began  to  tell  me 
that  my  health  was  very  precarious,  and  all  your 
advice  came  back  to  me.  I  did  write  to  my  sister,  a 
girl  about  sixteen.  My  want  of  faith  has  been  re- 
proved ;  for  I  had  such  a  letter  from  her,  tellin.u*  ne 
she  had  felt  sure  all  this  winter  that  there  had  been  a 
change  in  me,  and  why  I  had  not  written  before  ;  and 
she  ended  by  confessing  that  she  could  resist  no 


118 


MOODY  AIS^D  SANKEY. 


longer^  but  had  taken  Christ,  and,  God  helping  her, 
TTOuld  live  for  Him.  Another  thing  yon  wanted  me  to 
do  went  fearfully  against  the  grain,  and  that  was  to 
hold  meetings.  Had  anybody  told  me  last  year  that 
IM  ever  come  to  do  such  a  thing,  Pd  have  scoffed  at 
them.  So  you  see  it's  nothing  of  myself,  but  some- 
thing that  makes  me,  in  spite  of  myself,  long  to  work 
for  Jesus.  Will  you  pray  for  my  Canongate  meeting  ? 
I've  got  such  bad  characters,-  oh,  if  I  could  only 
reach  them !  drunkards,  and  profane  i)eople — my  heart 
just  yearns  over  them.  It  was  a  fearful  effort  at  first 
to  speak  for  Christ,  but  now  '  I  love  to  tell  the  story,' 
for  '  all  to  Christ  I  owe.'  As  I  came  home  last  night, 
I  heard  such  beautiful  singing  at  the  head  of  one  of 
the  lowest  streets  here.  Coming  up  I  found  some 
young  men  were  singing  ^  I>epth»  of  Mercy,'  in  parts, 
and  whenever  they  had  gathered  a  crowd,  invited 
them  to  accompany  them  to  the  meeting.  A  great 
many  followed  them.  I  know  it  will  cheer  Mr.  Moody 
to  hear  of  the  hint  he  threw  out  being  thus  taken  up 
by  these  young  Christians.  The  work  here  goes  on 
wonderfully;  it  is  too  great  to  be  spoken  of.  Your 
loving  friend  in  Christ." 

The  great  meeting  of  the  young  men  on  the  24th  of 
February  was  the  scene  of  the  relation  of  some  of  the 
most  interesting  incidents,  of  any  meeting  held  uj)  to 
that  time.  They  met  in  Ewing  Place  Church,  being 
unable  to  gain  admission  to  the  regular  meetings. 
They  were  met  at  that  place  by  Mr.  Moody  and  others 
who  talked  to  them.  The  power  of  the  meeting  was 
overwhelming,  and  conviction  struck  deep  into  the 
minds  of  these  young  men,  until  101  of  them  had 
declared  their  anxiety  to  be  saved.  As  the  results  of 
this  ser^dce,  some  of  the  most  zealous,  a<;tive  workers 
in  the  revival  were  brought  to  the  front.    For  a 


THE  WORK  m  SCOTLAND, 


119 


single  meeting,  it  is  doubtful  if  there  was  one  held 
that  prepared  the  way  for  the  accomplishment  of  more 
good,  than  that  where  the  101  rose  for  prayers.  It 
raised  up  a  band  of  noble  young  workers,  who  put 
themselves  to  the  AYork  in  good  earnest.  They  kept 
up  their  organization  for  months,  meeting  regularly, 
and  using  such  means  as  lay  in  their  reach,  for  the 
advancement  of  the  cause  they  loved  so  well. 

The  last  week  of  the  Evangelists  in  Glasgow  was 
marked  by  the  most  astonishing  crowds  at  the  meet- 
ings that  had  yet  been  witnessed. 

On  the  12th  of  April,  a  meeting  exclusively  for 
women  was  held,  at  which  there  were  present  over 
7,000,  about  5,000  of  whom  gained  entrance  to  Kibble 
Palace,  the  rest  being  accommodated  with  services  on 
the  outside.  Many  of  these  would  not  listen  to  the 
speakers,  but  crowded  round  the  doors,  to  get  a 
glimpse  of  and  hear  the  voices  of  Moody  and  Sankey. 
The  next  evening  over  7,000  men  crowded  into  the 
Palace,  who  gave  quiet  hearing  to  the  preaching, 
which  stirred  the  vast  audience  to  the  greatest  en- 
thusiasm; and  when  the  sweet  notes  of  the  singer 
rang  through  the  Hall,  it  was  roused  to  a  still  higher 
pitch,  and  every  emotion  wakened.  It  was  an  inspir- 
ing scene — a  martial  scene — where  the  great  army  was 
called  to  battle  for  the  right,  by  the  clarion  notes  of 
a  more  effective  medium  than  the  bugle. 

Thursday  night  the  doors  were  thrown  wide  open  for 
all,  and  a  crowd  was  the  result.  The  meeting  was 
conducted  in  the  usual  style,  characteristic  of  Mr. 
Moody,  who  had  the  cordial  assistance  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  clergymen  and  eminent  laymen.  Vigorous, 
heart-searching  addresses  were  made,  and  many  occu- 
pied the  time  X3rofitably  in  relating  their  experience  in 
the  new  life ;  and  many  who  had  long  been  in  the  ser- 


120 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


vice  electrified  the  audience  with  accounts  of  their 
achievements  and  victories  in  the  battle  of  life.  On 
Friday  evening  the  services  were  held  specially  for 
those  who  claimed  to  have  been  converted  during  the. 
meetings,  and  the  Palace  was  filled;  which  affords 
some  idea  of  the  astonishing  work  accomplished  to  this 
time.  Most  of  those  present  in  the  audience  were 
under  twenty-five  years  of  age,  the  ladies  being  in  the 
ascendancy. 

It  was  remarked  that  tlie  singing  and  general  par- 
ticipation in  the  services  by  this  congregation,  were  of 
more  than  the  usual  spirit.  Their  voices  were  clear 
and  full  of  melody,  and  the  ricli  songs  sung  by  these 
thousands  of  voices  were  enough  to  inspire  any  soul 
not  already  dead  to  tlie  influence  of  song.  Mr.  Sankey 
certainly  had  his  reward  when  he  witnessed  the  multi- 
tude at  this  meeting  singing  songs  of  redeeming  love, 
but  few  of  whom  knew  anything  about  them  until  they 
heard  them  from  his  lips. 

On  Saturday  a  meeting  was  held  for  the  children,  when 
the  little  ones  had  their  last  opportunity  of  seeing  and 
hearing  one  whom  they  had  learned  to  regard  as  a  near 
and  dear /riend.  In  Scotland,  as  every  where  else  he  goes, 
Mr.  Sankey  has  the  happy  faculty  of  winning  all  the 
children  to  himself,  and  they  always  ardently  love  him. 
There  are  but  few  men  who  can  take  a  class  of  young 
folks  and  hold  them  so  closely  interested  as  can  Mr. 
Sankey,  and  by  his  many  acts  of  kindness  these  sweet 
little  folks  of  Glasgow  clung  to  him  as  one  of  their 
most  x>recious  friends.  The  meeting  was  a  delightful 
one;  tender,  heart-melting,  and  nothing  could  exceed 
the  appropriateness  of  the  occasion  to  the  beloved 
teachers. 

The  final  meeting  was  the  greatest  of  all,  and  was 
indeed  powerful  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word.    It  was 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


121 


aiinoanced  for  half  past  six  o'clock  on  Sunday  evening. 
It  was  said  by  one  Avriterj  describing  the  arrival  of  the 
people,  that  for  three  hours  the  stream  was  incessant. 
The  people  came  on  foot,  of  all  classes,  from  every 
direction,  and  the  Palace  was  immediately  filled  upon 
the  opening  of  the  doors.  The  crowd  outside  increased 
until  it  was  a  jam,  the  throng  on  the  Green  being  far 
in*  excess  of  that  in  the  Palace.  Mr.  Moody,  taking  in 
the  situation  of  affairs,  announced  that  he  would  preach 
from  his  carriage  out  of  doors.  The  great  congregation 
then  gathered  around  him,  and  soon  he  had  an  audience 
of  not  less  than  30,000,  and  it  was  estimated  by  some 
to  be  fully  50,000.  Mr.  Moody  addressed  the  assembly, 
and  surpassed  himself  in  the  earnestness  and  jjower 
of  his  preaching.  Mr.  Sankey's  voice  reached  every 
one  present,  and  while  he  sang  IsTothing  but  Leaves'' 
the  utmost  quiet  and  order  prevailed  5  and  the  entire 
audience  seemed  to  take  the  greatest  delight  and  joy 
in  the  delightful  services.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting 
inquirers  were  invited  into  the  Palace,  which  was  com- 
fortably filled. 

Before  leaving  the  meeting  a  farewell  was  taken  of  the 
people,  amid  the  good  will  and  prayers  of  thousands 
of  souls  to  whom  the  Evangelists  had  been  entire 
strangers  but  a  few  weeks  before.  Thus  closed  a  series 
of  very  profitable  meetings  in  Glasgow,  the  extent  of  the 
good  of  which  cannot  be  known  until  the  final  accounts 
are  made;  but  the  visible  effects  were  sufficient  to 
encourage  all  Christian  workers,  and  satisfy  them  that 
God  will  honor  his  own  work. 


6 


122 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


CHAPTER    I  Y. 

OTHER  POINTS  IN  SCOTLAND. 

The  work  continued  to  spread  and  deepen  on  all 
hands.  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  were  the  great  centres^ 
and  the  movement  was  the  most  intense  in  and  around 
them.  At  Leith^  Dalkeith,  Portobello,  Bathgate,  Lin- 
lithgow, Musselburgh,  Kirkcaldy,  Dunfermline,  West 
Oalder,  Greenock,  Paisley,  Chryston,  Douglas,  and 
many  other  places  within  their  immediate  influence, 
it  was  strongly  felt.  But  it  was  by  no  means  confined 
to  the  central  districts.  The  news  of  what  had  been 
done  in  them  spread  everywhere,  and  awakened  ex- 
pectation and  interest  in  the  remotest  places.  From 
the  Orkney  and  Shetland  Islands  requests  for  jyrsbjev 
were  sent,  often  accompanied  with  thanksgivings  for 
blessings  received, 

Elgin  was  the  centre  of  a  work  extending  over  all 
the  southern  coast  of  the  Moray  Firth,  and  specially 
remarkable  at  Gartly,  Urquhart,  Eothiemay,  Drum- 
blade,  and  Coruhill ;  similarly,  Aberdeen  was  the  focus 
of  an  extensive  movement,  embracing  Ordiquhil,  Ord, 
Torry,  Footdee,  Forgue,  Auchterless,  Kinnethmout, 
Garioch,  l^^ew  Deer,  St.  Comb's,  Oairnbulg,  Peterhead, 
and  other  jolaces.  The  impulse  given  by  the  visit  of 
Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sanke}'  to  Dundee  continued  to 
propagate  itself  both  in  that  town  and  elsewhere  in 
Forfar  and  Fife — for  exami)le,  at  Brechin,  Newport, 
St.  Andrew's,  Elie,  and  Carnbee.  All  through  the 
central  counties  in  Perth,  Crieff,  Blair,  Auchterarder, 
Pitlochrie,  Athole,  Blairgowrie,  Callander,  Gartmore, 
Stirling,  Dollar,  Falkirk,  Dumbarton,  Helensburg  and 
other  points,  special  meetings  had  been  held^  and  tha 
results  were  of  the  most  extraordinary  kind. 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


123 


la  the  south-eastern  counties  the  visits  of  these 
brethren  to  Melrose  and  Berwick,  as  well  as  the  con- 
stant news  from  Edinburgh,  excited  a  sx^irit  of  awaken- 
ing everywhere.  The  foregoing  recoixl  of  the  interest 
excited  by  the  meetings  already  held,  will  give  a  fair 
idea  of  the  immense  scope  of  the  work  accomplished 
to  this  time.  It  was  most  astonishing,  and  so  far  be- 
yond anything  of  the  kind  that  had  ever  before  oc- 
curred in  that  section  of  the  country,  that  it  took  a 
deep  hold  on  the  minds  of  the  people,  and  awakened 
all  to  an  inquiry  after  the  truth. 

PAISLEY. 

On  Wednesday,  the  15th  of  April,  Mr.  Moody  visited 
Paisley  from  Glasgow,  laboring  alternately  at  the  two 
places  during  the  week.  Previously  to  this  time  the 
two  Evangelists  had  visited  this  place,  and  produced 
marked  results.  The  meetings  held  on  this  occasion 
prepared  the  way  for  a  glorious  work  during  their 
second  visit.  Mr.  Saukey  was  present  during  a  part 
of  the  time  of  the  second  visit. 

On  Sunday,  the  19th,  three  meetings  were  held,  the 
first  being  for  Christian  workers,  and  was  held  at  9 
A.M.,  when  about  1,500  persons  were  present,  the 
following  account  of  which  is  taken  from  one  of  the 
papers:  ^^Mr.  Moody  spoke  on  the  words,  ^To  every 
man  his  work.'  At  5  P.  M.  a  meeting  was  held  for  the 
unconverted.  Admission  was  by  tickets,  to  be  had 
on  personal  application.  Two  thousand  tickets  were 
given  away,  and  many  more  might  have  been  disposed 
of,  so  eager  were  people  to  hear  the  Gospel  from  Mr. 
Moody's  lips.  It  was  evident  that  the  right  persons 
were  present,  as  only  a  few  voices  joined  in  singing 
the  hymns  that  have  become  so  familiar  to  us  of  late. 
The  meeting  was  most  solemn  and  impressive,  and 


124 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


about  200  inquirers  remained  at  the  close.  There 
could  be  no  mistake  about  the  deep  earnestness  of 
those  who  waited  for  conversation.  It  was  past  eight 
o'clock  before  the  last  of  the  inquirers  left  the  church ; 
the  shades  of  evening  were  gathering  around  us,  but 
it  was  a  blessed  thing  to  believe  that  as  the  darkness 
was  deepening  around,  many  were  passing  out  of 
darkness  into  God's  naarvellous  light. 

At  9  P.  M.j  Mr.  Moody  had  a  meeting  in  St.  George's 
Established  Church  for  men  only.  The  large  building, 
even  at  that  late  hour,  was  quite  filled,  and  not  less 
than  1,800  were  present.  There  was  no  inquiry  meet- 
ing, in  consequence  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  but  in- 
timation was  made  that  Mr.  Moody  would  meet  with 
those  who  desired  personal  conversation  on  Monday 
evening.  About  150  came  to  the  place  of  meeting, 
almost  all  of  whom,  before  departing,  were  able  to  pro- 
fess their  faith  in  Christ. 

^"In  addition  to  the  meetings  mentioned  above,  two 
other  evangelistic  services  were  held  on  Sabbath  even- 
ing— the  one  in  the  west,  and  the  other  in  the  east  end 
of  the  town.  Both  were  well  attended,  and  several 
inquirers  remained. 

^^Mr.  Moody  spoke  again  on  Tuesday  evening  in 
the  Free  High  Church  to  an  audience  of  upwards  of 
2,000  ]3eople.  His  text  was  ^  I  pray  thee,  have  me  ex- 
cused.' Upwards  of  300  remained  to  be  conversed 
with.  All  seemed  to  be  in  earnest.  IsTone  but  real 
inquirers  seemed  to  be  present,  and  not  a  few,  it  is  be- 
lieved, gave  themselves  to  the  Lord.  On  Monday 
evening  a  woman  came  to  the  inquiry  meeting,  and, 
ere  she  left,  professed  to  lay  hold  of  the  trflth.  On 
Tuesday  she  was  seen  by  the  friend  who  had  conversed 
with  her  making  her  way  into  the  after  meeting.  He 
asked  her  as  to  her  spiritual  state,  and  in  answer  he 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


125 


was  told  that  slie  was  fall  of  peace,  and  slie  added, 
'Here  is  my  husband,  whom  I  have  brought,  that  lie 
also  may  receive  a  blessing.'  He  was  spoken  to,  and 
ere  the  meeting  broke  up,  he  too  departed  rejoicing  in 
hope.'' 

On  Wednesday  evening  a  service  was  held  in  the 
Free  High  Church,  and  overflow  meetings  in  Free  St. 
George's  Church  and  Oakshaw  street  U.  P.  Church. 
Mr.  Sankey  was  present  at  each,  and  lent  a  charm 
and  interest  to  the  crowded  congregations.  A  good 
impression  was  left  on  the  people  here,  and  a  large 
number  of  inquirers  remained  for  conversation  at  the 
close  of  the  meetings  on  Wednesday. 

DUMBARTON. 

The  first  of  a  series  of  meetings  was  held  in  the 
Parish  Church,  Dumbarton,  on  Friday  evening,  May 
8th.  Long  before  the  appointed  hour  large  numbers  of 
people  began  to  congregate  about  the  church  door, 
and  by  the. time  the  services  commenced  the  large 
building  was  crowded  to  excess.  The  services  deeply 
affected  the  congregation,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
meeting,  a  second  one  for  anxious  inquirers  was  held 
in  the  High  street  U.  P.  Church,  which  was  well  filled. 

"  On  Sunday  morning,  May  10,  at  9  o'clock,  a  meet- 
ing, for  men  only,  was  held  in  the  Parish  Church,  at 
which  both  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  were  present, 
as  well  as  the  Eevs.  Mr.  Halley  and  Mr.  Tait.  The 
proceedings  were  opened  by  Mr.  Tait  giving  out  the 
40th  Psalm  to  be  sung,  after  which  he  engaged  in 
prayer.  Mr.  Sankey  then  sang  the  hymn,  ^  I  am  so 
glad  that  Jesus  loves  me,'  at  the  end  of  which  he  re- 
quested all  those  who  could  sing  from  the  heart  to  join 
in  the  chorus.  Mr.  Moody  then  read  Corinthians  xv., 
commenting  on  a  portion  of  it,  and  subsequently  (after 


126 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


Mr.  Sankey  liad  sung  ^The  gate  ajar  for  me'),  lie 
preached  a  sermon  from  Luke  ii.  10 — ^  Behold  I  bring 
you  good  tidings  of  great  joy^  which  shall  be  to  all 
j)eople.' 

The  address  was  a  powerful  i)resentation  of  this 
beautiful  passage  of  Scripture,  and  it  had  a  good  effect 
on  his  hearers.  '-^  During  his  remarks,  he  gave  a  short 
sketch  of  how  he  felt  before  he  was  converted,  and  said 
that  for  days  and  weeks  previous  to  that  event,  he  had 
never  rested.  He  saw  some  of  his  early  companions 
taken  away  by  death,  and  reflected  that  his  turn  must 
come  some  day  ;  and  yet  he  knew  that  he  was  unx)re- 
pared  for  the  king  of  terrors.  But  afterwards,  when  he 
came  to  Christ,  and  exi^erienced  conversion,  death  lost 
all  its  terrors  for  him,  and  was  deprived  of  its  sting.  He 
was  now  no  longer  afraid  to  face  this  ^  last  enemy,'  for 
instead  of  being  his  greatest  foe,  it  was  now  trans- 
formed into  the  character  of  a  friend ;  for  whenever 
he  should  be  absent  from  the  body,  he  trusted  to  be 
present  with  the  Lord.''  After  the  sermon^  Mr.  Sankey 
sang  '-^  The  Prodigal's  Eeturn  "  with  thrilling  effect. 

In  the  Free  Church,  Mr.  Moody  preached  at  the  11 
o'clock  forenoon  service.  Every  seat  was  filled,  and 
the  utmost  attention  was  given  to  every  word  that  was 
spoken.  He  took  as  his  text  God  is  Love,"  creating 
a  most  i)rofound  impression  in  amplifying  his  theme, 
the  large  audience  being  melted  to  tears.  Services 
were  again  held  at  five  o'clock  in  the  Parish  Church, 
and  in  the  same  church  at  half-past  seven  o'clock.  The 
brief  stay  of  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  at  this  place, 
was  attended  with  the  most  beneficial  results.  There 
was  a  widespread  interest  taken  in  the  services  by  most 
of  the  people,  and  many  had  the  entire  current  of  their 
thoughts  changed,  and  turned  into  a  better  channel  by 
the  impressive  meetings  held. 


THE  WOUK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


127 


NEILSTON. 

On  the  loth  of  May  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  made 
a  three  days'  visit  to  Edinburgh ^  where  they  hekl  meet- 
ings attended  by  fifteen  or  twenty  thousand  people^  at 
the  conclusion  of  which  they  visited  the  town  of  IsTeils- 
toUj  about  nine  miles  from  Glasgow,  and  held  a  meeting 
in  the  Parish  Church,  which  was  crowded  in  every  part. 
A  remarkable  instance  of  the  spirit  of  unity  this  re- 
vival had  produced,  was  afforded  in  the  fact  that,  while 
the  Established  Church  minister  presided,  two  others, 
one  of  the  Free  Church,  and  another  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Chui^ch,  took  part  in  the  service.  This 
was  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  decided  and  bene- 
ficial results  of  the  meetings. 

Mr.  Moody^s  sermon  Avas  one  of  i:)eculiar  interest  to 
the  audience  assembled,  and  was  filled  with  fervent 
and  persuasive  appeals  to  the  unconverted  present. 
Souls  were  quickened  and  converted,  and  hundreds 
were  brought  under  the  most  i)owerful  conviction  of 
sin.  At  the  after  meeting,  which  was  held  in  the  Free 
Church,  upwards  of  three  hundred  met  together  as  in- 
quirers after  the  way  of  salvation  5  and  some  were 
enabled  to  express  the  belief  that  they  there  passed 
from  death  to  life. 

Mr.  Sankey's  singing  was  particularly  enjoyed  by 
these  peojjle.  Singing  the  Gospel  was  new  to  them, 
except  from  report,  and  now  when  they  could  sit  and 
listen  to  the  sweet,  persuasive  tones  of  the  singer,  they 
fully  realized  that  the  Gospel  was  rich  and  full  beyond 
their  former  knowledge.  It  was  a  matter  of  rejoicing 
how  the  simple  worship  attracted  the  people  unto  the 
Great  Head  of  the  church.  Mr.  Sankey  was  assisted 
in  his  singing,  by  a  choir  of  ladies  from  Glasgow,  who 
added  largely  to  the  interest  of  the  services. 


128 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


KILMARlSfOCK. 

The  following  accounts  in  quotation  marks  are  from 
writers  present  at  the  meetings^  whose  names  are  not 
known : 

On  Sunday,  May  24,  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey 
held  a  meeting  at  9  o'clock  A.  M.  at  Kilmarnock,  a 
town  of  24,000  inhabitants,  thirty -four  miles  from  Glas- 
gow. This  being  their  first  visit  to  Ayrshire,  much 
interest  was  excited,  and  an  immense  number  of  peo- 
ple assembled  to  hear  them,  many  coming  from  a  con- 
siderable distance  in  good  time,  although  the  first 
meeting  was  held  so  early.  The  service  at  9  A.  M.  in 
the  Low  Church  was  for  Christian  workers,  office-bear- 
ers, and  Sunday  school  teachers  only,  admission  being 
by  ticket. 

"  Meetings  were  also  held  in  the  Low  Church  in  the 
afternoon,  after  the  usual  church  service,  and  likewise 
in  the  evening.  King  street  U.  P.  Church  was  also 
open  in  the  afternoon  and  evening  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  those  who  failed  to  obtain  admission  to  the  Low 
Church.  Both  churches  were  crowded  to  an  extent 
seldom  if  ever  before  witnessed,  and  hundreds  had  to 
go  away  without  finding  even  standing  room.  Mr. 
Moody  addressed  each  of  the  meetings  in  the  Low 
Church.  The  Eev.  J.  B.  Hamilton,  the  Eev.  Mr.  Leitch 
and  Sheriff  Campbell  also  took  part  in  these  services, 
while  the  Eev.  Mr.  Landsborough  preached  to  an  open 
air  gathering  in  front  of  the  church  in  the  afternoon. 
The  services  in  King  street  Church  were  conducted  by 
Sheriff  Campbell,  the  Eev.  Messrs.  James  Brown  (Bath- 
gate), Leitcb,  and  Young  (Tarbolton).  Mr.  Sankey 
took  part  in  all  the  meetings. 

In  the  Free  Church  Assembly  at  Edinburgh,  on 
May  26th,  Sheriff  Campbell  said  that  the  news  from 


THE  WOKK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


129 


Ayrshire  was  very  encouraging.  The  town  of  Kilmar- 
nockj  for  which  they  had  been  praying  much,  had  been 
visited  by  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  who  did  not 
take  any  part  in  the  ordinary  worship;  but  they  had 
evangelistic  meetings,  and  the  result  of  these,  and 
other  meetings  from  tbe  overflow  of  these  congrega- 
tions, was  that  they  had  upwards  of  200  inquirers  in 
the  inquiry-room.  He  was  there  amongst  them,  and 
he  never  saw  more  promising  cases  of  conversion. 
Those  whom  he  spoke  to  were  from  fifteen  to  twenty- 
five  years  of  age,  and  some  older.  All,  as  far  as  he 
could  see,  were  persons  who  were  most  deeply  impressed, 
and  all  that  he  spoke  to  before  they  parted  said  that 
they  had  given  themselves  to  Christ.'' 

SALTCOATS. 

On  Monday,  May  25th,  the  Evangelists  arrived  from 
Kilmarnock  in  Saltcoats,  which  is  twenty-nine  miles 
from  Glasgow.  Announcement  had  been  made  in 
various  churches  in  Saltcoats  and  Ardrossan  of  the 
intended  visit,  which  came  upon  many  rather  unexpect- 
edly. Arrangements  were  made  for  holding  three  ser- 
vices, the  first  in  the  parish  church  (Eev.  D.  E.  McNab's) 
at  4  o'clock,  afternoon;  also  in  the  same  place  at  7 
o'clock,  evening;  and  in  the  North  Church  at  the  same 
hour. 

^'At  the  afternoon  service,  admission  to  which  was  by 
ticket,  the  church  was  comfortably  filled  an  hour  before 
the  time  for  opening  the  meeting.  Large  numbers  of 
persons  continued  to  arrive,  who  made  their  way  into 
the  building  and  through  the  passages,  evidently  satis- 
fied to  obtain  even  standing  room.  Every  inch  of 
space  in  the  sacred  edifice  was  packed  long  i^rior  to  4 
o'clock,  and  probably  there  never  was  assembled  so 
large  a  congregation  in  any  church  in  Saltcoats.  A 

6* 


130 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


considerable  number  were  unable  to  obtain  admission. 
A  large  number  of  persons  had  come  from  the  towns 
and  villages  in  the  district  to  attend  the  services. 

Mr.  Sankey  took  his  seat  at  the  American  harmo- 
nium organ  on  the  platform,  and  played  the  accom- 
paniment to  the  23d  Psalm,  which  wtis  sung  by  the 
congregation.  The  Eev.  Mr.  Scott  then  engaged  in 
prayer,  after  which  the  hymn,  ^  I  am  so  glad  that 
Jesus  Loves  Me,'  was  sung,  under  the  leadership  of 
Mr.  Sankey,  who  also  sang,  with  great  taste,  the 
hymn,  ^  Scatter  Seeds  of  Kindness.' 

Mr.  Moody  then  delivered  an  impressive  sermon, 
in  the  course  of  which  he  referred  to  the  greatness  of 
the  love  of  God  to  believers,  especially  as  set  forth  in 
John  xvii.  23,  where  Christ  says  to  the  Father,  Thou 
hast  loved  them  as  thou  hast  loved  me.''' 

His  remarks  were  listened  to  with  the  deepest  atten- 
tion and  seemed  to  make  a  profound  impression  upon 
his  hearers. 

^'At  the  evening  service,  in  the  Parish  Church,  the 
attendance  was  quite  as  large  as  at  that  held  in  the 
afternoon,  and  numbers  were  unable  to  obtain  sitting 
room,  and  crowded  all  the  passages  of  the  church. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  were  accompanied  to 
the  platform  by  the  Eev.  George  Fairgrieve  and  Eev. 
Wm.  McGilchrist.  After  the  congregation  had  joined 
in.singing  a  hymn,  Mr.  Moody  read  several  requests 
for  prayer  that  had  been  handed  to  him,  and  engaged 
in  devotional  exercises.  Mr.  Sankey  sang  '  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  passeth  by.'  A  i^ortion  of  the  third  chapter 
of  John  was  next  read,  and  Mr.  Sankey  followed  with 
the  hymn,  ^  Once  for  all,'  at  the  conclusion  of  which  he 
left  the  meeting  and  proceeded  to  the  iSTorth  Church  to 
take  part  in  the  services  there. 

Mr.  Moody  then  delivered  an  able  discourse,  con- 


THE  WORK  m  SCOTLAND. 


131 


taWiiig  many  pathetic  illustrations^  which  visibly  af- 
fected his  hearers.  In  the  course  of  his  remarkSj  he 
referred  to  the  third  chapter  of  John,  which  contains 
such  imx3ortant  fundamental  Gospel  truths. 

^^After  Mr;  Moody  had  finished  his  sermon  a  second 
meeting  for  anxious  inquirers  was  held  in  the  West 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  where  several  of  the  local 
clergy  assisted  to  speak  to  those  who  were  under 
spiritual  concern. 

"  There  was  also  a  meeting  the  same  evening  in  the 
N^orth  Church,  for  those  who  could  not  gain  access  to 
the  Parish  Church.  They  were  addressed  by  the  Eev. 
D.  E.  Mcl^ab  and  the  Eev.  1^.  S.  Macaulay.  Mr.  San- 
key  was  present,  and  sang  several  hymns. 

^^As  one  evidence  of  the  revival  spirit  existing  at 
Saltcoats,  it  was  noticed  that  there  was  less  drunken- 
ness than  usual  at  the  annual  fair  at  Saltcoats  on  the 
following  Thursday,  May  28.'' 

IRVINE  AND  AYR. 

"  The  inhabitants  of  Irvine,  which  contains  a  popu- 
lation of  8,000,  having  heard  of  the  presence  of  the 
Evangelists  in  their  neighborhood,  hastened  to  send  a 
deputation  to  them  in  Saltcoats  on  Monday,  to  solicit 
the  holding  of  at  least  one  service  by  them  in  the 
Parish  Church  of  Irvine.  With  this  entreaty  Messrs. 
Moody  and  Sankey  complied.  They  arrived  on  their 
visit,  which  may  well  be  described  as  a  flying  one,  in 
time  for  a  meeting  at  twelve  noon.  There  was  a  large 
attendance  in  the  church,  although  a  more  unfortunate 
day  could  not  have  been  chosen,  as  the  streets  were  full 
of  conveyances,  and  furniture  and  excited  individuals, 
it  being  Term  day,  or  Flitting  day,  for  the  change  of 
residences. 

"  In  the  evening  an  evangelistic  meeting  was  held  in 


132 


MOODY  A^^D  SAIN^KEY. 


the  Eev.  Mr.  Eeid^s  church ,  at  eight  o'clock^  and  very 
profitable  services  held,  addresses  being  made  by 
several  of  the  ministers.'' 

*^0]i  the  same  afternoon  they  arrived  at  Ayr,  a  town 
of  19,000  inhabitants,  forty  miles  from  Glasgow.  The 
meeting  was  at  4  P.  M.,  in  the  Old  Church,  a  fine  old 
commodious  building,  which  was  filled  an  liour  before- 
hand, by  a  great  audience  of  about  2,000  people,  com- 
prising many  of  the  leading  people  of  the  neighbor- 
hood.   Many  were  unable  to  gain  admission. 

A  number  of  ministers  of  all  denominations  were 
j)resent,  some  having  come  a  distance  of  thirty  miles. 
It  is  remarkable  how  the  cooperation  of  the  clergy  has 
been  everywhere  given  to  these  Evangelists.  The  in- 
terval of  waiting  between  3  and  4  P.M.  was  occupied 
by  the  reading  of  portions  of  Scripture,  and  by  prayer 
by  some  of  the  ministers.  A  very  efficient  choir  sang 
extremely  well  some  of  Mr.  Sankey's  hymns.  The 
large  audience  manifested  marked  anxiety  to  see  the 
expected  visitors  from  America,  by  keeping  tlieir 
vision  concentrated  on  the  vestry  door,  but  kept  their 
seats  and  maintained  a  proper  demeanour. 

"After  entering  the  church,  accompanied  by  many 
clergymen,  Mr.  Moody  gave  out  the  100th  Psalm, 
which  was  sung  congregationally.  He  then  prayed ; 
and  the  hymn,  ^  Once  for  all,'  was  then  sung  by  Mr. 
Sankey,  with  great  feeling  and  expression — the  words 
being  heard  clearly  in  the  most  distant  part  of  the 
church.  Mr.  Moody's  discourse,  which  followed,  was 
a  distinct  setting  forth  of  Jesus  Christ  and  Him 
crucified." 

The  meeting  in  the  evening  was  also  crowded,  and 
the  services  were  most  instructive  and  impressive. 
Besides  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  several  ministers 
of  note  were  in  attendance. 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


133 


STIRLINa. 

On  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  27th  and  28th  of  May, 
Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  held  meetings  at  Stirling. 
The  first  meeting  was  held  in  the  Erskine  TJ.  P.  Church, 
on  Wednesday  evening.  That  large  and  spacious  edi- 
fice, including  its  passages,  was  completely  occupied 
an  hour  before  the  time  for  commencing  service. 
A  choir,  accompanied  by  an  American  organ,  sang  a 
number  of  hymns  before  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Sankey. 
After  his  arrival,  Mr.  Sankey  sang  Jesus  of  ISTazareth 
passeth  by,"  with  thrilling  effect,  the  full,  rich  tones 
of  his  voice  i)enetrating  the  most  remote  parts  of  the 
building,  charming  every  one  present.  Mr.  Moody 
then  delivered  an  address,  which  is  said  to  have  had 
a  powerful  effect  on  the  audience. 

On  Thursday  they  were  both  present  at  the  noon 
prayer  meeting,  and  in  the  afternoon  they  held  a  meet- 
ing in  the  Erskine  Church,  during  which  Mr.  Moody 
gave  one  of  his  Bible  readings. 

In  the  evening  there  was  an  evangelistic  meeting 
in  Erskine  U.  P.  Church.  The  gates  of  the  approach 
leading  to  the  church  were  fairly  besieged,  an  hour 
and  a  half  before  the  time  of  worship,  by  peoi)le  of  all 
classes — from  the  belle  of  fashion  to  the  Kewhaven 
fisherwife,  in  her  picturesque  costume — all  anxious 
to  gain  admittance.  The  consequence  was  that 
the  church  was  completely  filled  long  before  seven 
o'clock.'' 

The  services  were  interesting,  and  had  a  marked 
effect  on  the  x>ersons  present.  Mr.  Sankey's  singing 
of  Sweet  bye  and  bye,"  ^  E^othing  but  Leaves,"  etc., 
gave  great  pleasure  to  the  audience,  melting  scores  of 
them  to  tears.  On  the  next  day  Mr.  Sankey  went  to 
Perth  and  Mr.  Moody  to  Edinburgh. 


134 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


PERTH. 

The  Evangelists  visited  Perth,  a  city  of  25,000  iu- 
habitants,  conimeiicing  their  meetings  on  Friday, 
May  29th,  closing  them  on  Sunday,  the  7th  of  June. 
During  Mr.  Moody's  absence,  Mr.  Sankey  took  part  in 
meetings  on  Friday  and  Saturday,  where  the  services 
were  heartily  joined  by  large  crowds  of  people. 

^^Mr.  Moody  arrived  in  Perth  on  Saturday,  at  7 
o'clock.  His  first  meeting  was  at  9  o'clock  on  Sab- 
bath morning,  in  the  City  Hall,  and  was  very  largely 
attended,  the  hall  being  quite  full.  The  meeting  was 
intended  for  Christian  workers.  A  number  of  the 
ministers  of  the  city  accompanied  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr. 
Sankey  to  the  platform,  and  a  large  choir  assisted  in 
the  singing.  The  meetmg  was  opened  by  the  audi- 
ence singing  four  verses  of  the  Forty-second  Psalm, 
after  which  Eev.  Mr.  D\^mock,  Perth,  engaged  in 
prayer.  Mr.  Sankey  having  sung  the  solo,  '  Here  am 
I,  send  me,'  Mr.  Moody  read  a  part  of  the  20th  chap- 
ter of  Matthew,  verses  1  to  16 — the  parable  of  the 
labourers  in  the  vineyard. 

"  Mr.  Sankey  sang  a  most  beautiful  hymn  solo,  '  Go 
work  in  my  vineyard.' 

Mr.  Moody  then  delivered  an  address  on  the  same 
subject.  Thoroughly  j)ractical  it  was,  and  very  pointed, 
in  the  preacher's  usual  style.  The  great  lesson  con- 
tained in  the  parable  was  put  before  his  hearers  with 
an  earnestness  which  could  not  be  mistaken. 

At  5  o'clock  another  meeting  was  held  m  the  hall, 
which  was  quite  crowded  by  half  past  four — all  the 
standing  room  being  occupied.  The  meeting  com- 
menced with  singing  the  23d  Psalm,  after  which  the 
Eev.  D.  McGregor,  Dundee,  engaged  in  prayer;  the 
hymn,  '  Jesus  paid  it  all,'  was  then  sung,  and  Mr. 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


135 


Moody  engaged  in  prayer.  Mr.  Sankey  then  sang  the 
well-known  and  touching  solo^  '  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
passeth  by.' 

^^Mr.  Moody  then  delivered  a  stirring  gospel  address, 
in  which  he  proclaimed  with  great  earnestness  that 
Christ's  mission  into  this  world  was  to  save  lost 
sinners." 

The  address  touched  the  hearts  of  the  jjeople,  and 
under  the  speaker's  pleading  words  and  the  cheering 
and  convincing  singing  of  Mr.  Sankey,  the  people  were 
brought  face  to  face  with  the  great  truths  of  salvation, 
and  they  seemed  to  realize  that  they  had  a  weighty 
work  in  hand. 

"  At  half  past  seven  the  City  Hall  was  again  crowded 
to  overflowing.  Before  the  meeting  commenced,  seve- 
ral hymns  were  sung  by  the  audience.  Mr.  Sankey 
began  by  singing  the  solo,  '  Once  for  all/  after  which 
Eev.  Mr.  Grant  engaged  in  prayer.  The  hymn,  '  I 
love  to  tell  the  story,'  having  been  sung,  Mr.  Moody 
addressed  the  vast  assembly.  He  brought  out,  in  the 
course  of  his  soul-stirring  remarks,  the  victory  which 
the  Christian  gains  over  his  enemies,  especially  over 
Sin,  Death,  the  Grave,  and  Judgment.  This  victory 
might  be  ours  if  we  only  accepted  Christ.  The  salva- 
tion wrought  out  for  us  was  freely  offered  to  all.  He 
closed  with  an  urgent  appeal  to  all  to  accept  the 
gracious  offer. 

On  Monday,  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and 
Friday,  June  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  the  arrangements  for 
the  meetings  were  precisely  the  same  each  day,  as 
follows : 

At  12  noon  a  union  prayer  meeting  for  an  hour  in 
the  City  Hall,  at  which  short  addresses  were  given  by 
various  speakers. 

"At  2.30  or  3  P.  M.,  an  afternoon  Bible  reading,  or 


136 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


lecture,  as  it  may  be  more  accurately  termed,  given  in 
one  of  the  churches  by  Mr.  Moody. 

^'At  7.30  P.  M.,  an  evangelistic  discourse  in  the 
j^Torth  U.  P.  Church  by  Mr.  Moody,  and  simultane- 
ously in  the  City  Hall  by  Eev.  Dr.  Parkhurst,  and  in 
Free  West  Church  at  7  P.  M.  for  young  people  by  Eev. 
W.  A.  Spencer  of  Chicago. 

'•The  meetings  where  Mr.  Moody  was  preseut  were 
all  crowded,  and  the  others  were  well  attended.  There 
were  generally  many  anxious  inquirers  at  the  close, 
especially  at  Mr.  Moody's  meetings." 

The  last  meeting  at  this  i^lace  was  held  on  Sunday 
the  7th  of  June.  During  the  evening  service,  there 
were  present  not  less  than  7,000  persons,  all  of  whom 
gave  the  most  earnest  heed  to  the  preaching  of  the 
word.  Mr.  Moody's  addresses  were  varied,  startling 
and  full  of  pathos,  forcing  tears  from  eyes  which 
vainly  tried  to  suppress  them.  Many  a  conscience 
was  pierced ;  many  a  listener  arrested  5  many  a  wan- 
derer turned  homeward ;  and  many  a  believer's  soul 
stirred  to  the  very  lowest  depths,  by  the  heart  search- 
ing appeals  of  the  speaker. 

In  all  the  services  the  blessed  Spirit  of  promise,  who 
is  drawing  to  himself  all  hope  and  confidence,  as  the 
One  alone  able  to  glorify  Jesus,  was  powerfully  work- 
ing in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  On  that  blessed 
Sabbath  evening  many  melted  and  humble  servants  of 
the  King  withdrew  from  the  places  of  inquiry,  and 
silently  adored  the  Mighty  One,  and  saw  him  already 
going  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer.  The  good 
done  in  Perth  was  beyond  all  doubt  gratifying,  and 
full  of  hope  as  a  permanent  one. 

DUNDEE, 

On  Tuesday  the  9th  of  June,  the  Evangelists  paid 
another  visit  to  DundeCj  and  at  night  held  an  im- 


THE  WOUK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


137 


mense  meeting  in  the  Barrack  Park,  where  there  were 
assembled  all  conditions  and  classes  of  people.  Work- 
ingmen  of  different  kinds  were  there  in  large  numbers, 
and  the  dress  of  the  mechanic  and  of  the  genteel, 
were  alike  noticeable  in  the  large  audience. 

On  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday  nights  open 
air  meetings  were  held  in  the  same  place.  On  each 
successive  night  the  interest  and  solemnity  grew  more 
intense.  The  attendance  was  variously  estimated  at 
from  10,000  to  15,000  souls.  There  was  an  unusually 
large  proportion  of  men  in  the  gatherings,  hundreds 
of  whom  were  brought  to  tears  under  the  word  of  God, 
which  was  preached  with  the  same  simplicity  and 
power  characteristic  of  the  other  meetings. 

On  the  afternoons  of  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  Mr. 
Moody  held  a  Bible  reading  in  Free  St.  PauFs,  which 
was  so  crowded  on  the  second  day  that  it  was  deemed 
necessary  to  hold  the  meeting  on  Friday  in  Kinnaird 
Hall.  On  Friday  night  a  meeting  was  held  in  Ohapel- 
shade  of  those  who  had  recently  professed  faith  in 
Christ.  There  was  a  large  attendance.  The  young 
converts  were  affectionately  counselled  by  Mr.  San- 
key,  who  i)resided  at  the  service.  This  second  visit 
to  this  place  of  these  Christian  workers  was  highly 
appreciated,  and  gave  a  fresh  impulse  to  the  work. 
It  served  to  show  the  people  that  the  success  of  the 
previous  meetings  was  permanent,  and  that  God  was 
indeed  doing  a  most  effectual  work  of  love  and  gr^ace 
through  his  chosen  instruments.  The  impetus  given 
to  the  labors  of  the  churches,  was  one  of  the  most 
gratifying  features  of  their  stay  among  this  people  j 
and  the  great  good  done  among  the  youth  will  endear 
them  to  the  hearts  of  this  people  as  long  as  time  shall 
last.  On  Saturday  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  left 
for  Aberdeen. 


138 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


ABERDEEN. 

Meetings  were  commenced  in  Aberdeen  on  Sabbath, 
tlie  14tiij  by  a  9  o'clock  meeting  for  Christian  workers, 
admission  by  ticket.  There  were  3,000  issued,  and  the 
Mnsic  Hall  was  quite  filled,  every  available  place  being 
occupied,  either  sitting  or  standing.  The  singing  of 
the  100th  Psalm  opened  the  proceedings.  Mr.  Moody 
then  rose,  and  after  reading  a  smadl  portion  of  Scrip- 
ture, spoke  for  about  three-quarters  of  an  hour  from 
the  text,  ^  Here  am  I,  send  me.'  Mr.  Sankey,  assisted 
by  a  most  efficient  choir  of  male  and  female  voices, 
effectively  rendered  several  hymns,  among  which  the 
principal  were  ^  Hark,  the  voice  of  Jesus  calling,'  ^  Go 
work  in  my  vineyard,'  and  'Nothing  but  leaves.'  The 
meeting  was  a  most  solemn  one,  and  the  audience  most 
attentive. 

The  evening  meeting  at  5  P.  M.  was  on  the  Links,  in 
the  natural  amphitheatre  of  the  Broadhill,  where  a 
platform  had  been  erected  for  choir  and  speakers.  It 
was  here  that  the  deep  interest  in  these  gentlemen — 
arising,  of  course,  from  mixed  feelings  of  curiosity,  or 
desire  to  know  more  of  that  better  way  of  which  they 
speak — showed  itself.  Some  10,000  were  in  position 
before  and  around  the  platform  long  before  the  hour  of 
meeting 5  and  yet  from  before  5  till  past  6  there  were 
continuous  streams  of  men,  women,  and  children,  from 
the  city,  Footdee,  Woodside,  Old  Aberdeen,  and  as  far 
as  Dyce,  flowing  to  the  one  point  on  the  Broadhill. 
There  could  not  have  been  fewer  than  20,000  to  22,000 
on  the  Links  that  evening.  Mr.  Moody  spoke  from 
the  words  The  wages  of  sin  is  death,'  and  was  listened 
to  with  rapt  attention,  while  the  hymns  were  distinctly 
heard  over  the  vast  crowds  in  the  stillness  of  a  quiet 
summer  evening. 


THE  WOKK  IN  SCOTLxiNB. 


139 


^^  The  next  meetiug  was  aiiiiOLmced  for  8,  in  the 
Music  Hall,  bu^.  it  being  filled  before  7,  Mr.  Moody 
began  at  that  Iioiir.  Prayer  was  led  by  Mr.  Walter, 
Free  Trinity  Church,  Mr.  Moody  speaking  on  the  sub- 
ject  of  the  Prodigal  Son.  There  was  much  power. 
The  chief  hymns  were  'Jesus  of  l^azaretb/  ^Come 
home/  and  ^Almost  persuaded.'  There  were  many 
inquirers.  The  crowd  outside  was  very  great,  and 
Free  West  Trinity  and  the  Baptist  Chapel,  Crown 
street,  had  to  be  opened,  and  were  more  or  less  filled; 
while  several  ministers  conducted  an  open-air  service 
in  one  of  the  squares." 

The  meetings  were  continued  at  Aberdeen  for  two 
weeks,  and  were  of  the  most  extraordinary  interest  to 
all  who  attended  them.  The  noon-day  prayer  meetings 
held  each  day  in  Belmont  Congregational  Church, 
attracted  a  great  deal  of  attention,  and  were  productive 
of  much  good.  The  afternoon  Bible  readings  held  in 
the  South  Parish  Church  were  among  the  most  instruct- 
ive that  had  been  held,  the  church  being  crowded,  a 
number  of  those  present  being  from  the  country  and 
suburbs  of  the  town. 

During  the  meetings  many  instances  were  related  of 
the  conversion  of  hardened  sinners,  and  the  conviction 
of  persons  apparently  unable  to  be  impressed  by  relig- 
ious services.  Says  a  writer:  ^^One  very  interesting 
case  of  conversion  was  that  of  a  Unitarian,  who  was 
most  desirous  to  see  Mr.  Moody.  His  curiosity  had 
been  gratified  in  reference  to  Mr.  Sankey,  whose  por- 
trait he  had  seen;  but  not  having  seen  Mr.  Moody,  he 
thought  he  would  go  and  get  a  glimpse  of  him.  Ac- 
cordingly^ he  went,  but  he  did  not  like  Mr.  Moody's 
preaching:  he  felt  angry  with  it,  and  anathematised 
the  whole  affair.  The  next  day  he  was  restless  and 
unhappy  in  his  mind ;  he  went  again  to  the  meeting, 


140 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


and  listened  with  submissive  faith  to  the  preaching  of 
the  Word,  became  convinced  of  his  need  of  a  Saviour, 
and  yielded  himself  to  Christ,  in  whom  he  is  now 
rejoicing  with  a  sense  of  pardon  and  acceptance.  He 
afterwards  openly  confessed  Christ  in  a  meeting,  and 
related  these  particulars  of  his  conversion/' 

On  the  28th  of  June  farewell  meetings  were  held  in 
Aberdeen,  which  Were  instructive  and  yet  sad,  by  rea- 
son of  the  departure  of  these  beloved  Christian  teach- 
ers. At  6  o'clock  that  evening  an  immense  crowd 
assembled  on  the  Broadhill  to  hear  the  last  public  ser- 
vice in  Aberdeen,  of  which  an  eminent  writer  said : 

The  platform  had  been  removed  to  a  spot  on  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  great  natural  amphitheatre,  and 
was  also  a  more  lofty  structure  in  itself,  so  that  from 
it  a  much  more  commanding  view  could  be  obtained,  and 
the  speaker  more  easily  heard.  The  scene  presented  was 
of  the  most  imposing  description.  'No  less  than  25,000 
persons,  it  was  estima^ted,  were  gathered  together  to 
hear  the  gospel.  What  else  but  the  gospel  could  have 
brought  such  a  multitude  together?  And  what  a  trib- 
ute, not  to  man,  but  to  God's  presence  with  these  Evan- 
gelists, that  round  ihem  should  congregate  such  vast 
multitudes ! 

"After  the  hymn  ^The  fountain  of  life'  was  sung, 
the  Eev.  J.  M.  Sloan  prayed.  The  audience  then  sang 
the  100th  Psalm,  and  the  grand  old  strain  rang  heav- 
enward from  the  lips  of  tens  of  thousands. 

"  Mr.  Sloan  thereafter  read  Isaiah  Iv.,  and  Mr.  Sankey 
followed  with  the  solo  '  The  lost  sheep.'  His  magnifi- 
cent voice  swelled  out  and  softened  away,  according  to 
the  feeling  of  the  hymn,  in  the  most  impressive  man- 
ner, notwithstanding  that  he  aimed  at  and  succeeded  in 
making  the  words  distinctly  audible  to  the  utmost 
verge  of  the  immense  assembly. 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


141 


Mr.  Scott,  of  Glasgow,  having  prayed,  the  congre- 
gation sang  am  so  glad,'  etc.,  and  thereafter  Mr. 
Moody  chose  as  the  motto  of  his  discourse  the  word 
^  Behold,'  dwelling  on  some  of  the  most  striking  texts 
introduced  by  that  word.  He  touched  on  the  fall  of 
man  and  his  entire  depravity;  on  the  birth  of  the 
Saviour;  on  the  Lamb  of  God  as  the  bearer  away  of 
sin,  etc.  Major  Eoss  engaged  in  prayer  at  the  close  ; 
and  after  the  hymn  ^  I  hear  the  Saviour  say,'  and  the 
benediction,  the  assemblage  dispersed.  Before  break- 
ing up,  Mr.  Moody  spoke  in  strong  and  touching  lan- 
guage of  his  interest  in  Aberdeen,  and  the  encourage- 
ment he  had  had  while  here.  The  hymn  ^  Shall  we 
gather  at  the  river'  was  sung  ere  they  parted,"  and  the 
public  services  of  Moody  and  Sankey  were  thus  closed 
in  Aberdeen,  after  a  series  of  wonderful  meetings. 

HUNTLEY  AND  MONTROSE. 

On  June  29th,  meetings  were  commenced  at  Hunt- 
ley in  the  Castle  Park,  a  place  most  admirably  fitted 
for  such  a  i)urpose.    One  writing  of  it  said  : 

As  soon  as  it  became  known  that  the  services  of 
the  distinguished  American  Evangelists  had  been  by  a 
concurrency  of  influence  secured,  a  largely  increased 
attendance  from  anything  ever  seen  in  Huntley  before 
was  everywhere  confidently  exjiected.  Nor  was  the 
expectation  disappointed.  Some  parties  actually  ar- 
rived on  Saturday,  worshipped  in  the  churches  on  the 
Sabbath,  and  attended  the  i)reparatory  meetings.  At 
an  early  hour  on  Monday  the  people  from  neighboring 
parishes  came  flocking  in  from  all  directions.  All 
sorts  of  vehicles  brought  their  living  freights  of  both 
sexes,  and  the  number  of  pedestrians  from  neighbor- 
ing localities -was  altogether  unprecedented.  The  vil- 
lage of  Aberchirder  almost  emptied  itself,  and  the 


142 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY- 


same  may  be  said  of  many  of  the  fishing  villages 
along  the  coast,  the  exodus  fiom  which  was  so  great, 
that  the  powers  and  resources  of  the  innocent  rail- 
way'' were  most  severely  tasked ;  and  on  the  return 
journey  the  train  had  to  be  cut  in  two,  the  half  of  the 
I)assengers  being  left  to  enjoy  themselves  as  they  best 
could  for  an  hour  on  the  line. 

As  may  be  inferred,  the  attendance  in  the  park  on 
Monday  was  greatly  in  excess  of  any  previous  assem- 
blage. At  the  forenoon  meeting,  the  lowest  estimate 
was  10,000,  some  with  confidence  maintaining  there 
were  12,000  on  the  ground.  In  the  afternoon,  the  at- 
tendance was  much  larger,  numbers  having  arrived  by 
the  mid-day  trains,  and  also  from  the  country,  and 
when  Mr.  Moody  was  addressing  the  assemblage,  it 
was  computed  he  was  speaking  to  at  least  15,000 
people,  some  asserting  that  the  number  was  little  short 
of  20,000. 

Meetings  were  held  in  the  evening,  a  large  con- 
gregation being  in  attendance.  The  scene  at  these 
outdoor  meetings,  especially  in  the  evening,  was  ex- 
ceedingly lovely  and  picturesque.  The  congregations 
were  interested  in  the  highest  degree,  listening  to  the 
glorious  truths  proclaimed  to  them ;  the  park  stretched 
far  beyond;  the  background  of  magnificent  trees,  fresh 
and  clear  with  the  welcome  showers  yet  lingering  in 
the  luxuriant  foliage;  the  grey  walls  and  towers  of  the 
old  castle  seated  on  its  knoll  and  embowered  in  wood ; 
and  all  around  the  quiet  hills,  with  the  glancing  beams 
of  the  setting  sun,  gave  a  life  and  serenity  to  the  scene 
that  is  not  often  witnessed.  And  when  over  this  scene 
of  beauty  and  tranquility,  the  grand  voice  of  Mr. 
Sankey  was  heard  praising  God  in  some  inspiring  song, 
or  appealing  to  the  sinner  to  return  to  the  fold,  it  was 
a  sight  that  the  people  there  assembled  could  never 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


143 


forget.  The  large  congregations  were  moved  with  the 
most  profound  emotion  when  the  truths  of  the  Gospel 
were  presented  to  them.  The  meetings  were  continued 
on  Tuesday  to  large  audiences,  on  the  same  plan  as 
that  of  Monday.  The  meeting  on  Monday  had  brought 
over  a  hundred  persons  into  the  inquiry*  meetings^  and 
the  meetings  on  Tuesday  but  intensified  the  wondrous 
interest  of  the  people  in  the  meetings.  Several  inter- 
esting cases  of  conversion  were  narrated  during  the 
Tuesday  meetings,  one  of  which,  by  a  young  girl,  we 
give.  She  had  heard  a  number  of  converts  singing 
^'  I  do  believe  that  Jesus  died  for  me.''  This  she  knew 
she  could  not  sing,  and  it  was  the  arrow  that  touched 
her  heart,  out  of  which  she  entered  into  light  and 
liberty.  She  said,  Mr.  Moody  appealed  to  me  yester- 
day if  I  was  not  cognisant  of  the  Spirit's  work  in  my 
heart.  Thank  God,  I  am  !  I  was  lately  in  a  railway 
accident  in  a  dark  tunnel.  Four  minutes  we  were 
there.  I  never  expected  to  see  the  light  of  the  sun 
again.  Mentally,  I  bade  farewell  to  the  dear  ones  I 
loved  so  well  on  earth.  How  did  I  feel  in  prospect  of 
being  in  eternity  in  a  moment?  Thank  God,  I  feared 
no  evil!  Jesus  was  with  me.  I  knew  that  in  i3assing 
through  the  dark  valley  I  Avould  not  be  alone.  Be  you 
for  Christ,  and,  as  sure  as  God  is  true.  He  will  be  for 
you.  In  life  or  in  death  you  will  fear  no  evil."  The 
meetings  here  were  glorious  and  successful,  from  which 
the  i)eople  went  armed  for  the  work  before  them. 

In  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  the  Evangelists  went  to 
Montrose,  where  they  held  two  meetings,  one  in  the 
afternoon  and  one  in  the  evening.  Large  numbers  of 
persons  were  in  attendance,  and  like  the  meetings  at 
Huntley,  the  people  took  a  great  interest  in  them.  It 
seemed  as  if  the  wave  of  Gospel  grace  had  closed  over 
them,  and  they  were  filled  with  the  fulness  of  God. 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


A  good  impression  was  left  in  the  place ;  and  every  in- 
dication that  the  Avay  was  fally  prepared  for  a  thorough 
and  complete  work  in  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

BKEGHIN,  FORFAB  AND  ARBROATH. 

On  July  1,  two  meetings  were  held  at  Brechin,  an 
ancient  cathedral  town,  not  far  from  Dundee.  In  the 
forenoon  the  West  Free  Church  was  densely  packed, 
and  many  were  unable  to  gain  admittance.  In  the 
afternoon  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  Parish  Church,  at 
which  there  was  in  attendance  a  large  crowd,  many 
being  in  attendance  from  the  adjacent  districts.  The 
school  children  were  given  a  holiday  to  attend  the 
meetings,  which  provoked  a  lively  discussion  in  the 
school  board  before  it  was  granted.  Some  of  the  mem- 
bers opposed  the  holiday,  and  the  meeting  became 
animated  to  an  unusual  degree,  but  was  harmoniously 
settled,  and  the  little  folks  permitted  to  attend  the 
meetings. 

On  the  same  evening  a  meeting  was  held  in  Forfar 
in  the  Parish  Church,  it  being  filled  to  overflowing  by 
a  very  attentive  audience.  In  the  course  of  the  service, 
Mr.  Sankey  sang  several  of  his  songs  with  great  power 
and  effectiveness,  and  after  singing  the  "  Mnety  and 
Nine,"  Mr.  Moody  delivered  a  very  earnest  and  im- 
pressive address  from  the  words,  "  The  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  is  upon  me."  A  deep  impression  was  made,  and 
when,  at  the  close,  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the  hymns,  Prod- 
igal child,  come  home,"  and  "  Almost  persuaded," 
much  feeling  was  manifested.  This  sliort  visit  had  a 
great  influence  for  good,  and  the  results  were  the 
thorough  awakening  of  many  souls. 

On  the  next  day  Arbroath  was  visited,  and  one  day 
spent  in  it  in  religious  services.  The  first  meeting  was 
held  in  the  Old  Church  (Established)  5  and  the  large 
building  was  crowded  with  an  anxiously  interested 


THE  WOBK  m  SCOTLAND. 


145 


audience.  Many  of  tliem  came  solely  because  they 
were  really  desirous  of  hearing  how  they  might  attain 
salvation,  and  the  opportunity  was  at  once  presented 
of  doing  a  great  good  to  this  people.  In  the  evening 
another  meeting  was  held  in  the  same  place,  and  the 
services  were  peculiarly  interesting.  The  closest  at- 
tention was  paid  to  Mr.  Moody  while  he  told  them  about 
iAie  great  Doctrine,  that  Christ  came  to  save  the  lost, 
and  Avhen  he  was  done,  and  the  preaching  was  more 
fully  impressed  upon  their  minds  by  the  stirring  voice 
of  the  great  singer,  the  audience  was  profoundly  stirred 
to  its  very  depths.  Lasting  good  resulted  from  these 
meetings,  though  they  were  brief,  yet  characterized  by 
the  presence  of  the  Spirit. 

TAIN,  NAIRN  AND  ELGMN. 

On  Monday,  July  13th,  services  were  held  in  Tain 
at  half  past  one  o'clock,  in  the  Free  Church,  a  large 
audience  being  in  attendance.  Five  o'clock  was  the 
hour  appointed  for  the  open-air  meeting,  and  the  town 
presented  an  aspect  never  to  be  forgotten.  The  whole 
town  and  surrounding  neighborhood  seemed  to  be 
drawn  by  one  impulse,  as  they  proceeded  to  Academy 
Park,  where  5,000  people,  eager  and  fall  of  hope,  listen- 
ed to  the  glad  tidings  of  great  joy.  Mr.  Sankey  sang 
the  solo  Ninety  and  Nine,"  w]jen  every  eye  was  fixed 
upon  him,  and  every  heart  swayed  by  the  sweet,  tender 
words  that  fell  from  his  lips.  Mr.  Moody  preached  a 
heart-searching  discourse,  and  the  people  who  assem- 
bled from  curiosity,  soon  learned  that  it  was  the  same 
old  Gospel  which  now  was  proclaimed  to  them.  In  the 
evening  the  Free  Church  was  densely  crowded,  and  a 
most  impressive  meeting  was  held.  At  its  close,  an 
inquiry  meeting  was  held,  and  until  eleven  o'clock 
several  ministers  were  closely  engaged  in  pointing 

7 


146 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


sinners  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  Mr.  Moody's  heart  was 
overflowing  with  gratitude  to  God  for  the  manifesta- 
tions of  power  at  this  hour,  and  his  fulness  of  heart 
broke  forth  in  praises  and  thanksgivings.  The  entire 
meeting  caught  the  spirit,  until  all  hearts  were  melted 
under  the  influences  of  the  Gospel  of  x)eace  and  joy. 

On  Tuesday,  meetings  were  held,  when  the  church 
was  filled  to  overflowing.  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  Sankey 
sang  several  songs,  and  the  breathless  silence,  and 
tearful  eyes  of  the  people,  testified  to  the  i)ower  that 
accomj^anied  these  sacred  solos.  At  the  close  of  the 
meeting  about  500  persons  stood  up  for  ]>rayers,  many 
of  whom  were  weeping — some  for  joy,  and  some  from 
sorrow — showing  the  mighty  x^ower  that  swept  through 
the  audience  under  the  ministrations  of  these  laborers. 
The  meetings  held  at  this  place  were  productive  of  a 
vast  amount  of  good,  which  cannot  be  known  at  this 
time. 

On  July  21,  Nairn  was  visited,  and  meetings  held 
during  one  day.  At  12  o'clock  services  were  held  in 
the  U.  P.  Church,  with  a  crowded  house.  At  three 
o'clock  a  Bible  reading  took  place ;  at  half-past  six  an 
audience  of  about  5,000  met  on  the  Links,  and  at  eight 
o'clock  upwards  of  1,000  filled  the  Free  Church,  this 
meeting  being  followed  by  a  specially  interesting  in- 
quiry meeting,  when  many  persons  retired  for  prayers 
and  were  brought  to  a  sense  of  Divine  favor.  The 
whole  town  was  moved  to  its  very  depths,  and  a  work 
done  that  will  have  lasting  benefits. 

On  the  23d  the  Evangelists  Kent  to  Elgin,  where  a 
two  days'  meeting  was  held.  The  open-air  meeting 
was  held  on  Ladyhill,  a  great  crowd  being  in  attend- 
ance, estimated  to  be  the  largest  gathering  of  the  kind 
ever  held  in  the  place.  It  was  a  lovely  evening  for 
the  meeting  and  all  classes  of  people  turned  out,  ar- 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


147 


riving  from  all  parts  of  the  surrounding  districts.  At 
another  meeting  held  in  the  same  place^  there  were 
8,000  persons  present.  The  services  were  opened  by 
singing  the  40th  Psalm,  Mr.  Sankey  leading  5  nothing 
more  beautiful  or  inspiring  could  well  be  imagined 
than  the  singing  of  this  psalm,  the  hill  sides  seeming 
to  be  all  alive  with  melody  and  praise.  A  second  visit 
was  i)aid  to  this  place,  and  some  very  extraordinary 
meetings  held.  A  description  given  of  one  of  the  out- 
door meetings  ascribed  wonderful  power  to  the  efforts 
of  the  Evangelists,  who  held  thousands  of  people  en- 
tranced during  the  services.  Long  before  the  close  of 
the  meeting  it  was  evident  that  the  people  were  power- 
fully wrought  upon,  and  that  a  rich  harvest  was  in 
view.  In  this  none  were  mistaken,  as  great  crowds 
13ressed  their  way  into  the  inquiry  rooms  and  begged 
to  know  the  way  of  life  and  salvation.  It  is  useless 
to  speculate  about  the  amount  of  good  done  in  this 
place,  but  it  was  satisfactory.  The  whole  of  Moray- 
shire shared  it,  and  a  powerful  hold  was  gained  in 
nearly  every  house. 

INVERNESS,  CAMPBELLTOWN,  AND  ROTHESAY. 

The  closing  meetings  in  Scotland  were  held  during 
the  latter  part  of  August,  and  were  specially  interest- 
ing. A  farewell  meeting  was  held  in  Inverness,  it 
being  an  all  day''  meeting,  each  hour  being  devoted 
to  some  special  subject.  It  was  a  glorious  day,  and 
the  effects  of  it  permeated  that  Avhole  country  until  it 
was  roused  to  greater  action  for  the  cause  of  Christ. 
From  here  a  visit  was  made  to  Aban,  where  a  meeting 
was  held  on  the  28th  of  August,  with  great  profit.  On 
the  29th  Campbelltown  was  reached  and  meetings  held 
until  the  3d  of  September.  On  Sunday,  the  30tb,  three 
services  were  held,  which  were  described  as  of  great 


148 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


power,  affecting  the  audiences  very  greatly,  and  in- 
ducing large  numbers  of  them  to  seek  a  personal  in- 
terest in  Christ.  Vast  crowds  attended  all  the  meet- 
ings ]  but  OH  Wednesday  night  the  fruits  of  the  revival 
were  made  manifest,  when  the  inquiry  room  was  filled 
with  a  great  number  of  the  congregation,  all  of  whom 
were  anxious  in  their  desire  to  become  Christians. 

The  last  meeting  was  held  at  Eothesay  on  the  3d  of 
September,  in  the  West  Free  Ohu.rch,  at  half  past 
seven  o'clock  in  the  evening.  A  description  of  this 
meeting,  from  one  of  the  papers,  closes  the  record  of 
the  great  work  of  Moody  and  Sankey  in  Scotland: 

About  an  hour  before  the  proceedings  commenced, 
the  church,  which  is  considered  to  be  capable  of  ac- 
commodating 1,500  persons,  was  crammed.  The  Rev. 
Eobert  Thomson,  parish  minister,  presided,  and  opened 
the  meeting  with  prayer.  By  this  time  the  square  in 
front  of  the  church,  as  well  as  the  avenue  leading  up, 
was  thronged  with  people  anxious  to  gain  admittance 
and  to  hear  Mr.  Moody,  as  this  would  probably  be  the 
last  meeting  he  would  ever  address  in  Scotland.  As 
the  church  was  now  becoming  o]3pressively  warm,  it 
was  thought  advisable  to  retire  outside,  which  was 
done;  and  a  table  being  x>rocured  from  one  of  the 
neighbouring  houses,  was  placed  at  the  end  of  the 
Esplanade,  on  the  site  of  the  old  ^  Gallows  Craig,' 
which  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  being  the 
spot  on  which  the  last  witch  in  Scotland  suffered  the 
last  penalty  of  the  law  due  to  her  crimes.  Here  Mr. 
Moody  was  surrounded  by  a  densely  packed  crowd, 
computed  to  number  no  less  than  3,000  persons.  Out- 
side the  vast  throng  were  several  private  carriages, 
the  occui^ants  of  which  listened  with  much  attention 
to  Mr.  Moody's  powerful  and  spirited  address.  At 
the  close  he  referred  very  touchingly  to  the  present 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND. 


149 


being  the  last  meeting  he  woukl  address  on  the  shores 
of  Scotland.  A  meeting  was  afterwards  held  in  the 
church,  as  well  as  a  meeting  for  inquirers  in  the  hall 
adjoining.'^ 


The  Work  in  Ireland. 


CHAPTEE  V. 

BELFAST  AND  LONDONDERRY. 

From  Scotland  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  pro- 
ceeded to  Ireland^  where  invitations  were  awaiting 
them  to  hold  meetings.  Urgent  entreaties  hadlbeen 
made  for  them  from  several  places,  and  they  decided 
to  visit  as  many  as  possible  of  the  most  prominent. 
The  first  city  to  which  they  went  was  Belfast^  where 
they  commenced  their  meetings  on  the  6th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1874.  Their  appearance  in  this  place  was  marked 
with  the  most  signal  tokens  of  God's  smile  and  appro- 
val. The  Christian  people,  and  indeed  almost  all 
classes  of  society,  welcomed  them  most  warmly,  and 
expressed  hearty  concurrence  in  their  work.  On  Sun- 
day morning  6th  of  September,  the  first  meeting  was 
held  in  Dougall  square  chapel  at  eight  o'clock.  The 
meeting  was  called  for  Christian  workers  alone,  and 
long  before  the  hour  named,  the  chapel  w^as  full.  The 
meeting  was  a  very  instructive  one,  and  gave  great 
cheer  to  all  Christian  workers  present.  This  meeting 
was  characterized  by  the  sentiment  of  entire  devoted- 
ness  to  Christ,  and  an  earnest  desire  to  lay  all  upon 
the  altar  in  His  service,  ujion  the  part  of  the  entire 
audience.  A  deep  feeling  of  solemnity  pervaded  all 
hearts. 

Another  meeting  was  announced  for  11:30  A.  M.  of 
the  same  day,  in  Fisherwick  place  church.  Long  before 
the  hour  for  service  the  spacious  room  was  crowded^ 


THE  WOUK  IN  IRELAND. 


151 


and  many  had  to  go  away  unable  to  obtain  admission. 
Mr.  Moody  preached  on  the  subject  of  ^^Love/'  and 
Mr.  Sankey  led  in  his  delightful  songs,  the  impression 
made  upon  the  multitude  being  very  deep.  It  was  a 
grand  occasion,  but  not  of  the  power  of  the  evening  meet- 
ing at  seven  o'clock,  when  the  impressions  were  quick 
and  powerful,  leading  many  souls  to  inquire  for  the 
Saviour.  It  was  estimated  that  nearly  10,000  persons 
went  to  the  church,  only  about  2,000  of  whom  gained 
admission,  the  rest  going  to  their  homes.  It  was  a 
cheering  occasion  to  the  Evangelists,  and  of  great  good 
to  scores  of  souls. 

At  noon  the  next  day,  the  daily  prayer  meeting  was 
commenced,  being  held  in  a  building  capable  of  accom- 
modating about  1,400  persons.  It  was  a  x)opular  place, 
where  many  persons  found  not  only  pleasure  in  listen- 
ing to  the  sweet  songs  of  Mr.  Sankey,  and  comfort  in 
the  cheering  words  uttered  by  those  w^ho  had  been  con- 
verted; but  where  they  obtained  themselves  the  pearl 
of  great  price. 

On.  Monday  evening  the  evangelistic  meeting  was 
held  in  Eosemary  street  church,  which  was  a  most 
fruitful  and  blessed  one.  The  crowd  w^as  very  large, 
rendering  it  inconvenient  to  properly  hold  the  meeting 
with  any  degree  of  comfort.  This  induced  the  chang- 
ing of  the  original  plans  for  holding  the  meetings  ;  and 
during  the  rest  of  the  week,  a  meeting  was  held  at  two 
o'clock  for  women  alone,  and  one  in  the  evening  ex- 
clusively for  men. 

This  arrangement  was  a  very  happy  one.  The 
women's  meeting  was  crowded  each  day,  the  church 
being  capable  of  holding  over  1,400  persons.  Increas- 
ing numbers  remained  each  day  to  be  spoken  to  about 
their  souls'  salvation,  and  large  numbers  were  saved. 
The  meeting  for  men  was  no  less  crowded  than  the 


152 


MOODY  ATs^D  SAIS^KEY. 


other,  and  each  succeeding  night  the  interest  taken' 
was  very  great.  The  work  was  deep  and  thorough, 
and  many  accepted  the  terms  of  the  Gospel  offered 
them.  Indeed,  all  the  services  held  during  this  first 
week,  were  of  a  character  to  inspire  confidence  and 
hope.  It  was  a  marvelous  sight  to  see  the  mighty 
crowds  that  were  swayed  by  the  earnest  words  of  Mr. 
Moody,  or  melted  to  tears  by  the  sweet,  persuasive 
songs  of  Mr.  Sankey.  At  times,  when  the  thrilling  tones 
of  his  voice  burst  upon  the  audience  in  one  of  his 
stirring  martial  songs,  all  eyes  were  lighted  up  and 
all  hearts  aglow,  with  the  sentiment  so  sweetly  given 
them.  It  sometimes  seemed  as  if  they  were  being  led 
to  the  conflict,  and  all  were  eager  for  the  fray,  when 
they  were  moved  and  swayed  by  these  Christian  songs, 
and  to  many  of  them  it  was  a  fearful  conflict  between 
their  souls  and  Satan.  It  was  said  by  some,  that  the 
work  up  to  this  time  was  more  extensive  and  deep 
than  in  any  place  yet  visited.  The  greater  number  of 
the  inquirers  so  far  were  from  among  the  young  men, 
which  was  considered  a  very  hopeful  feature  of  the 
work.  On  Saturday  a  meeting  was  held  for  the  chil- 
dren, which  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Sankey.  It  was 
intensely  interesting.  ISlo  one  who  does  not  know  the 
power  of  Mr.  Sankey  over  an  assembly  of  children, 
can  form  the  remotest  idea  of  the  power  he  possesses. 
His  gift  of  song  wins  their  hearts  at  once,  and  when 
added  to  this  his  cheerfulness  and  winning  manner,  he 
holds  such  an  audience  subject  to  his  slightest  wish. 

On  the  next  Sunday  a  meeting  was  held  for  Chris- 
tian workers  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  the  house  was 
crowded,  until  an  overflow  meeting  had  to  be  held. 
Mr.  Moody  preached  on  entire  consecration  to  God, 
and  whole-hearted  activity  in  his  service.  It  was  a 
wondrous  meeting,  judged  from  its  influence  for  good. 


THE  WOBK  IN  IRELAND. 


153 


An  open-air  meeting  was  held  at  half  past  two  o'clock 
the  same  day,  which  was  the  most  remarkable  meet- 
ing of  the  series.  The  weather  was  delightful,  and  an 
audience  of  nearly  20,000  sat  attentively  listening  to 
a  grand  discourse  from  Mr.  Moody.  While  Mr.  San- 
key  was  singing  Jesus  of  E"azareth  passeth  by/' 
hundreds  were  affected  to  tears  and  sighs.  It  was 
such  a  meeting  as  raised  the  enthusiasm  of  the  whole 
people  to  the  highest  pitch. 

On  Monday  the  meeting  for  women  was  much 
larger  than  any  previous  one,  there  being  fully  1,500 
in  attendance.  There  was  also  a  great  increase  among 
the  inquirers,  so  much  so,  that  the  Christian  workers 
could  not  attend  to  them.  The  next  evening  a  meet- 
ing was  announced  exclusively  for  women,  the  object 
being  to  reach  those  who  worked  in  the  mills  and 
warehouses.  More  than  an  hour  before  the  time  ad- 
vertised, the  streets  were  packed  with  women,  and 
when  the  building  was  opened  it  was  immediately 
filled;  and  after  that,  with  the  overflow,  three  large 
churches.  It  was  a  meeting  of  singular  power,  and 
the  number  of  seekers  was  so  large,  that  it  was  imjDos- 
sible  to  address  them  personally,  and  point  them  to 
the  way  of  life. 

During  the  whole  of  this  week  the  meetings  were 
thronged  with  largely  increasing  crowds.  Ko  build- 
ings were  found  large  enough  to  afford  room  for  those 
who  desired  to  hear  the  Gospel,  and  meetings  were 
held  in  different  churches  at  the  same  hour,  but  still 
many  had  to  turn  away. 

The  work  had  taken  deep  root  in  Belfast.  Intense 

earnestness  and  close  attention  were  characteristic  of 

all  the  meetings.     The  preaching  was  x>articularly 

liked  by  these  Irish  people,  who  regarded  Mr.  Moody 

as  eminently  qualified  to  teach  them  the  truths  of 

7* 


154: 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


God's  word.  The  singing  of  Mr.  Sankey  after  two 
weeks'  trial,  was  the  topic  of  conversation  everywhere. 
Every  person  was  singing  or  whistling  his  tunes.  We 
cannot  forbear  here,  quoting  the  words  of  a  writer  in 
one  of  the  papers  in  noting  the  power  of  the  singer. 
He  said,  "  Deeply  effective  are  Mr.  Sankey 's  solos,  not 
only  in  touching  the  heart's  affections,  but  in  deepen- 
ing the  impressions  made  by  the  word.  The  solo, 
'  Too  late,'  following  Mr.  Moody's  address  on  the  des- 
pair of  the  lost  in  hell,  had  the  most  solemn  effect. 
The  wail,  '  Oh  !  let  us  in,  oh !  let  us  in,'  and  the 
awful  resx)onse,  '  Too  late !  too  late  !  you  cannot  enter 
now,'  are  enough  to  wring  the  inmost  soul  of  every 
wavering  and  undecided  sinner." 

On  Sunday  the  20th  of  September  the  usual  services 
were  held  in  the  morning  to  a  largely  increased  con- 
gregation. At  half  past  two  o'clock  another  out-door 
meeting  was  held,  and  it  was  an  affair  that  was  won- 
derful beyond  all  powers  of  description.  The  attempt 
to  delineate  the  scene  witnessed  would  be  met  with 
signal  failure.  Perhaps  one's  imagination  might  be 
aided  by  stating  that  30,000  people  were  present.  This 
vast  crowd  was  quiet  and  attentive  during  the  address 
of  Mr.  Moody,  and  deeply  affected  by  it,  and  when  the 
voice  of  Mr.  Sankey  led  off  in  soul- stirring  song, 
bringing  tears  to  thousands  of  eyes,  and  the  whole 
audience  broke  forth  in  lifting  their  voices  with  his,  it 
presented  a  scene  that  has  seldom  been  excelled  in 
the  history  of  religious  services.  It  was  simply  over- 
whelming in  its  power,  and  affecting  beyond  all  de- 
scription ;  and  all  felt  satisfied  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
was  taking  hold  of  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

On  this  night,  the  first  meeting  was  held  for  young- 
men,  at  which  there  were  about  1,500  present.  It  was 
a  source  of  astonishment  to  the  people,  as  they  had 


THE  WORK  IN  IRELAND. 


155 


not  expected  so  much  at  the  beginning.  There  was 
great  interest  manifested  by  these  young  men,  and  a 
work  of  some  power  opened  among  them. 

During  the  week^  the  tide  of  spiritual  life  seemed  to 
increase  each  day.  The  Bible  readings  at  two  o'clock 
had  met  with  much  favor,  and  were  in  a  special  manner 
of  great  service  to  many  lukewarm  Christians.  They 
were  driven  to  search  the  Scriptures,  and  under  the 
influence  of  the  readings  and  special  study  of  some 
subjects  they  were  induced  to  seek  for  a  higher  life. 
The  meeting  for  the  children  on  Saturda}'  was  a 
striking  one.  The  truth  reached  the  hearts  of  many 
of  them,  and  conversions  were  frequent.  Some  pecu- 
liarly touching  scenes  were  witnessed  at  this  meeting, 
and  it  was  an  affecting  sight  throughout,  to  see  hun- 
dreds of  the  little  folks  earnestly  listening  to  counsel 
about  their  Christian  duty — rather  as  to  their  seeking 
a  more  intimate  relationship  with  that  Saviour,  who 
was  the  special  friend  of  the  children. 

On  Sunday  the  27th  another  immense  out-door 
meeting  was  held,  and  some  estimated  that  the  crowd 
was  larger  than  on  previous  occasions.  A  meeting 
was  held  in  the  evening  with  men  who  professed  to 
have  been  led  to  Jesus  since  the  special  meetings 
began.  One  who  was  present,  speaking  of  it  said, 
I  saw  man}^  wonderful  meetings  during  the  year  of 
grace  (1859),  but  I  do  not  think  I  was  ever  so  im- 
pressed with  the  glory  and  beauty  of  the  work  of  God 
as  when  I  entered  this  meeting  toward  the  close  of  it. 
It  was  a  sight  which  would,  I  think,  have  drawn  tears 
of  joy  from  any  heart  to  see  upwards  of  200  3'oung 
men,  the  very  flower  of  our  youth,  one  after  another 
acknowledging  the  yoke  of  Jesus.'' 

The  meetings  during  the  week  following  were  full  of 
interest.   The  work  of  grace  deepened  and  extended. 


156 


MOODY  AND  SANKEYo 


A  continual  cry  went  up  from  tbe  people  that  God 
would  not  only  bless  the  people  there,  but  all  over  the 
land ;  as  one  writer  expressed  it,  we  want  Ireland 
for  Christ."  One  special  feature  of  the  meetings  de-1 
serves  mention — the  absence  of  ]3h.ysical  excitement, 
which  was  so  common  in  the  revival  of  1859.  Then, 
])rostrations  and  loud  outcries  were  quite  common ; 
but  now  the  case  was  different.  Close  attention  was 
given,  and  often  the  audiences  would  be  melted  to 
tears ;  but  it  was  all  in  a  subdued  manner,  and  none 
the  less  effective  on  that  account. 

Sunday,  October  4th,  was  a  day  of  great  power, 
though  wxt  and  disagreeable  in  the  morning.  The 
number  of  peoj^le  in  attendance  was  fully  equal  to  any 
of  the  preceding  Sundays.  The  place  where  tiie  out- 
door meeting  was  held  was  a  field  containing  about 
six  acres,  and  it  is  said  that  this  entire  space  was 
crowded,  and  that  the  people  stood  densely  packed 
from  one  end  to  the  other.  There  was  a  deep  feeling, 
and  the  imx)ression  made  upon  the  hearts  of  the  people 
was  profound,  and,  as  the  sequel  shows,  lasting.  At 
the  meeting  on  that  evening  admission  was  solely,  by 
ticket,  for  men  who  were  anxious  about  their  souls  or 
who  had  been  converted.  The  hall  in  v/hich  it  was 
held  was  completely  filled.  Mr.  Moody  stated,  in  the 
noon  prayer  meeting  next  day,  that,  in  his  judgment, 
it  was  the  most  remarkable  meeting  he  had  held  in 
Europe.  At  the  same  time  another  meeting  of  men 
was  assembling  in  one  of  the  churches.  It  was  a  meet- 
ing of  glorious  power.  The  young  men  who  had  been 
brought  into  a  new  life,  in  a  spontaneous  burst  of 
praise,  told  forth  the  wonders  of  redeeming  love.  The 
meeting  that  followed  was  of  profound  interest — they 
were  all  full  of  the  Spirit,  and  their  captain  was  lead- 
ing them  onward  to  a  great  victory.    During  each  day 


THE  WOKK  IN  IRELAND. 


157 


of  this  week,  and  at  every  gathering,  more  and  more 
of  the  presence  of  God  was  manifested.  A  meeting  of 
men  was  held  in  Fisherwick  Place  Church,  on  Monday 
evening,  at  the  close  of  which  600  persons  retired  to 
the  lecture  room,  all  of  whom  were  anxious  about  their 
souls,  or  had  been  saved.  Before  this  meeting  was 
over,  all  of  this  600,  save  about  thirty,  stood  up  and 
solemnly  declared  the  Lord  to  be  their  God.  Such  a 
scene  is  beyond  the  power  of  man  to  understand.  It 
was  usually  counted  a  wonderful  work  for  a  few  at 
one  time  to  announce  their  allegiance  to  the  Saviour; 
but  what  must  be  said  of  a  meeting  where  they  rose 
by  hundreds,  and  said  that  they  had  been  saved  ?  The 
Bible  says  that  there  is  joy  in  Heaven  over  one  sinner 
that  repenteth — what  must  be  that  joy  when  the  prod- 
igals return  by  hundreds,  and  all  in  the  same  meeting! 
It  was  a  time  of  great  rejoicing,  and  the  influence  of  it 
extended  to  all  the  meetings  that  followed,  resulting 
in  a  work  of  grace  that  excelled  anything  that  had 
ever  been  known  in  the  country. 

On  Thursday,  October  8th,  the  great  meeting  was 
held  in  the  Botanic  Gardens,  upon  which  so  many 
hopes  had  been  built.  The  weather  was  very  fine,  and 
everything  seemed  to  work  together  for  the  success  of 
the  great  meeting.  It  was  the  largest  meeting  ever 
seen  in  that  section  of  country — it  was,  in  fact,  im- 
mense and  incalculable.  'No  estimates  have  been  made 
of  the  number  of  persons  present,  though  the  call  had 
been  issued  for  100,000.  Mr.  Moody  addressed  the 
vast  multitude  from  the  words,  I  pray  thee,  have  me 
excused."  With  graphic  power,  singular  clearness, 
and  a  force  that  pierced  the  heart,  he  oi)ened  bare  the 
miserable  pretences  by  which  sinners  excuse  them- 
selves from  leading  a  Christian  life.  The  address 
struck  deep,  and  brought  conviction  to  many  souls. 


158 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


On  Saturday  evening,  October  lOth,  Mr.  Moody  and 
Mr.  Sankey  paid  a  visit  to  Londonderry,  where  meet- 
ings were  held  during  four  days.  The  original  request 
for  their  visit  to  this  place  came  from  the  committee  of 
the  weekly  mid-day  prayer  meeting,  in  conjunction 
with  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  In  this 
request  there  was  a  cordial  and  unanimous  support 
given  by  the  clergy.  All  the  ministers  who  were  asked 
to  put  their  churches  at  the  disposal  of  the  commit- 
tee gladly  did  so.  The  First  Presbyterian  Church 
was  selected  for  holding  the  meetings,  because  it  was 
the  largest,  and  more  likely  to  accommodate  the 
people  who  should  attend. 

The  meetings  were  commenced  on  Sunday.  There 
were  three  services  held  during  the  day,  they  being 
pleasant  in  the  cordiality  of  the  people,  and  success- 
ful in  turning  the  attention  of  the  people  to  the  work 
to  be  done.  The  opening  meeting  was  for  Christian 
workers,  and  the  services  were  specially  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Christian  work.  Mr.  Moody  gave  some  advice 
that  was  practical,  and  well  calculated  to  set  all  to 
work  who  desire  to  do  good.  Other  meetings  were 
held  during  the  day,  at  each  of  which  the  church  was 
filled  to  overflowing.  Overflow  meetings  were  also 
held,  and  were  well  attended. 

Mr.  Moody  presented  the  Gospel  faithfully,  and  with 
acceptability.  Its  eflects  were  marked,  and  gave  a 
tone  of  deep  religious  feeling  and  solemnity  to  all  the 
services.  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the  Gospel  with  great 
power.  In  this  delightful  service  he  had  the  assist- 
ance of  a  well-trained  choir,  which  added  largely  to 
the  interest  of  the  meetings. 

The  meetings  were  continued  on  Monday,  Tuesday, 
and  Wednesday,  three  services  being  held  each  day, 
including  one  for  the  children.    The  congregations 


THE  WORK  IN  IRELAND. 


159 


were  large,  attentive,  and  qui^t.  The  cliiirch  was 
filled  full,  every  available  spot  being  occupied  by  the 
absorbed  thousands,  who  were  hanging  in  raptures  on 
the  utterances  of  the  two  teachers.  Hundreds  were 
turned  away  who  could  not  gain  admission,  and  occu- 
pied another  church,  where  services  were  held.  The 
closing  services  on  Wednesday  evening  were  very 
solemn  and  highly  satisfactory.  The  meetings  were 
attended  by  thoroughly  representative  audiences, 
composed  of  young  and  old  of  all  classes,  not  only 
from  Derry  but  from  the  surrounding  districts.  The 
meetings  were  noted  for  their  earnestness  and  solem- 
nity, and  the  absence  of  all  undue  excitement.  This 
was  a  feature  that  seemed  to  specially  please  the 
people  of  Ireland.  Naturally  full  of  life  and  ardor,  it 
was  reasonable  to  expect  that  they  would  give  way  to 
excesses  ;  but  instead  of  this  the  utmost  decorum 
always  prevailed.  During  the  services  there  was  the 
most  perfect  order,  and  even  Avhen  the  audiences  were 
numbered  by  many  thousands,  everything  passed  off 
in  an  orderly  manner.  This  satisfied  the  i^eople  there 
that  the  work  was  of  a  thoroughly  genuine  character. 

The  Evangelists  returned  to  Belfast,  on, Thursday, 
October  15th,  and  held  their  final  meetings  before  pro- 
ceeding to  Dublin.  The  meeting  in  the  evening  was 
held  in  St,  Enoch's  Church.  Admission  was  given  by 
ticke'ts  only  to  sinners  who  were  under  anxiety  of  soul 
and  were  desirous  of  seeking  Jesus.  Some  idea  of  the 
depth  of  the  feeling  may  be  had  when  it  is  stated  that 
more  than  2,400  i)ersons  were  admitted  to  this  meet- 
ing. It  was  the  last  offer  in  Belfast  to  the  uncon- 
verted, and  it  was  attended  with  great  power.  Mr. 
Moody  made  an  effective  appeal  to  his  audience  to 
close  with  the  terms  of  mercy  and  be  saved. 

On  the  16th  the  usual  noon-day  prayer  meeting  was 


160 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


held,  and  a  crowd  ^as  there.  The  whole  multitude 
was  deeply  moved.  The  meeting  in  the  evening  was 
for  the  young  converts.  This  included  those  who 
were  converted  during  the  meetings  in  Belfast.  The 
admission  was  given  by  ticket.  About  2,150  tickets 
were  given.  This  was  the  result  of  five  weeks'  labors, 
and  it  is  quite  probable  did  not  include  all.  The 
entire  audience  numbered  over  3,000,  including  minis- 
ters and  workers,  and  it  was  an  inspiring  occasion.  A 
very  touching  incident  in  the  service  was  the  singing, 
by  Mr.  Sankey,  of  a  hymn  composed  by  a  dying  youth 
in  Belfast,  "  Is  there  room  ?  they  say  there  is  room 
The  whole  audience  stood  together  and  sang  in  a  joy- 
ous  burst  of  praise — 

"  0 !  happy  day,  that  fixed  my  choice 
On  Thee^  my  Saviour  and  my  G-od." 

The  effect  of  which  was  grand  and  overpowering, 
giving  all  a  new  cause  for  rejoicing.  The  close  of  the 
services  was  appropriate,  and  rendered  very  dear  by 
the  sermon  of  Mr.  Moody,  from  To  Him  who  is  able 
to  keep  you  from  falling,''  and  the  tender  singing  of 
Mr.  Sankey.  They  went  from  Belfast  with  the  bless- 
ing of  the  people,  and  with  the  consciousness  that  a 
great  good  had  been  done. 


OHAPTEE  VI. 

DUBLENT. 

The  meetings  in  Dublin  were  opened  on  Sunday,  the 
25th  of  October,  1874.  Great  preparations  had  been 
made  for  the  coming  of  the  Evangelists,  and  the  way 
was  fully  opened  for  a  season  of  precious  meetings. 
A  general  prayer  meeting  was  held  on  Saturday,  the 


-THE  WOSK  IN  IKELAND. 


161 


nthy  as  a  preparatory  means  for  the  success  of  the  spe- 
cial services  to  be  held,  and  the  hall  in  which  it  was  held 
was  filled,  there  being  about  2,000  Christian  workers 
in  attendance.  These  meetings  had  been  held  in  Met- 
ropolitan Hall  for  many  months  previous,  and  had  an 
excellent  effect  in  uniting  all  denominations  together  to 
work  in  the  meetings.  It  was  said  that,  for  the  first 
time  in  that  city,  the  clergy  of  all  the  evangelical 
churches  worked  cordially  together,  without  any  show 
of  envy  or  party  spirit,  all  feeling  that  they  were  work- 
ing in  the  same  cause  and  for  the  same  Master. 

Before  agreeing  to  visit  Dublin,  the  Evangelists  had 
asked  that  a  sufficiently  large  building  be  secured  in 
which  to  hold  the  services.  Thus  far  no  building  had 
been  adequate,  and  they  felt  that  the  greatest  good 
could  not  be  done  unless  a  hall  large  enough  to  hold 
the  people  was  secured.  The  committee  of  arrange- 
ments responded  by  securiDg  Exhibition  Palace,  a 
commodious  structure,  and,  as  was  thought,  sufficient 
for  the  usual  meetings.  The  Palace  was  originally 
designed  as  a  place  for  innocent  pleasure,  and  now  it 
was  to  be  used  for  the  additional  purpose  of  securing 
to  sinners  the  higher  pleasures  of  the  Gospel. 

At  the  first  service  on  Sunday,  at  4  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  nearly  fifteen  thousand  persons  were  present, 
a  grand  opening  indeed.  The  service  was  a  very  edi- 
fying one,  Mr.  Moody  teaching  the  vast  audience  the 
duty  of  carrying  the  Gospel  to  sinners.  His  address 
was  sublime,  and  was  listened  to  with  close  attention. 
Mr.  Sankey  was  very  effective  in  rendering  some  of  his 
delightful  songs,  notably  when  he  sang  with  singular 
impressiveness  Jesus  of  l^azareth  passeth  by,''  which 
affected  the  audience  to  a  feeling  of  deep  solemnity. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  holding  a  noon-day 
prayer  meeting. in  Metropolitan  Hall,  at  every  session 


162 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


of  which  the  room  was  filled  to  overflowing.  The  peo- 
ple seemed  to  take  the  most  hearty  delight  iu  atteuding 
this  service,  specially  set  apart  for  prayer  and  suppli- 
cation. Various  ministers  presided  at  the  meetings  for 
prayer,  though  the  Evangelists  were  the  central  figures, 
and  added  life  and  spirit  to  them. 

The  regular  meetings  in  the  Exhibition  building 
grew  larger  if  i)ossible  every  day.  The  building  seated 
comfortably  10,000  persons,  and  admitted  of  many 
more  under  pressure.  The  room  was  always  crowded, 
and  many  were  disappointed  in  not  being  able  to  secure 
a  place  to  enjoy  the  exercises.  ISTotwithstanding  the 
immense  crowds,  and  the  difficulty  of  keeping  all  pres- 
ent occupied,  and  of  holding  their  attention,  the  order 
was  well  nigh  perfect.  The  utmost  quiet  prevailed, 
and  the  attention  was  all  that  could  be  desired. 

Such  scenes  as  Dublin  now  witnessed  were  an  aston- 
ishment to  its  people,  and  had  never  before  been  wit- 
nessed— thousands  were  flocking  to  the  prayer  meeting 
and  the  Bible  meeting,  and  most  of  all  to  the  evening 
services  in  the  great  Palace.  As  showing  the  unity 
among  the  ministers,  and  the  effect  upon  all  who  simply 
looked  upon  the  vast  assemblies,  we  quote  from  an 
Episcopalian  minister  who  regularly  attended  the  meet- 
ings. He  said,  It  is  a  sight  to  fill  the  heart  of  the 
child  of  God  with  deepest  emotion,  to  stand  upon  the 
platform  erected  in  that  building,  from  which  Mr. 
Moody  preaches,  and  to  cast  one's  eye  over  the  vast 
concourse  of  people,  hanging  on  the  speaker's  lips,  as 
in  burning  words  he  discourses  of  life  and  death,  heaven 
and  hell,  Jesus  and  his  love,  and  one  cannot  but  ask 
the  question,  what  is  the  magic  power  which  draws 
together  those  mighty  multitudes,  and  holds  thexn 
spell-bound  f' 

An  old  minister,  an  able  and  godly  man,  stated  on 


THE  WOUK  IN  IRELAND. 


163 


one  occasion  that,  by  attending  these  services,  he 
seemed  to  have  returned  to  the  freshness  of  his 
spiritual  youth." 

The  regular  ministers  of  the  city  had  already  begun 
to  learn  a  lesson,  though  less  than  two  weeks  of  the 
meetings  had  been  held.  One  of  the  ministers  in 
speaking  of  Mr.  Moody^s  manner  said,  It  is  to  be 
feared  that  there  is  a  want  of  directness,  if  not  of 
earnestness,  in  our  preaching,  i^ow  the  great  charac- 
teristics of  Mr.  Moody's  preaching  are  directness, 
earnestness  and  naturalness ;  or,  as  a  writer  in  Dublin 
expressed  it,  ^he  does  not  wait  for  the  end  of  his 
sermon  to  make  the  application,  but  the  Bible  in  his 
hands  is  a  quiver,  and  every  passage  to  which  he  re- 
fers is  an  arrow,  which  the  Holy  Ghost  accompany- 
ing, he  shoots  home  straight  to  the  hearts  of  his 
hearers.'''  They  had  discovered  the  secrets  of  his 
success,  and  put  themselves  to  use  it. 

The  second  Sunday  was  a  day  of  rejoicing  and 
power.  The  crowds  at  the  Exhibition  service  were 
simply  enormous,  and  the  most  i:>rofound  stillness 
pervaded  the  vast  audience  as  the  services  went  on. 
It  was  a  day  of  victor}' ;  the  hosts  under  the  leader- 
ship of  these  men  of  spiritual  warfare,  marched  for- 
ward in  solid  column,  conquering  as  they  pressed  on, 
in  the  sacred  cause  they  had  espoused.  Hundreds 
and  thousands  of  souls  were  inspired  with  a  lofty  and 
sublime  enthusiasm,  by  the  ringing,  martial  tones 
that  fell  from  the  lips  of  the  sweet  singer,"  who 
seemed  to  possess  an  unlimited  x)ower  in  swaying  his 
audience  to  his  liking,  by  a  pleasing  recital  of  the 
way  of  salvation.  Tears  came  unbidden  to  the  eyes 
of  his  hearers,  and  no  effort  was  made  to  hide  the 
emotion  which  affected  a  large  part  of  those  present. 
The  Bible  readings  during  the  week  were  seasons  of 


164 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


much  spiritual  power,  and  were  relished  by  the  congre- 
gations taking  part  in  them. 

Dublin  is  a  Catholic  city,  the  Eomanists  having  a 
large  majority  of  the  people  of  the  place,  and  the 
Evangelists  seem  to  have  found  favor  in  their  eyes, 
as  well  as  of  Protestants.  Many  persons  were  con- 
verted in  the  meetings  who  had  been  brought  up  in 
the  Eomish  faith,  and  some  comments  were  made 
upon  it.  Mr.  Moody  was  decided  that  there  should  be 
no  difference  between  any  sects  or  societies  of  people, 
but  that  they  came  to  save  sinners,  not  to  proselyte 
from  any  denomination.  This  evidently  gave  them 
favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  Catholics,  as  an  article  aj)- 
peared  in  the  Nation^  a  Catholic  journal,  entitled 

fair  play,'^  which  was  fair  and  candid  and  breathed 
no  spirit  of  oxjposition.  We  quote  so  much  of  it  as  is 
to  the  point  in  hand  : 

The  deadly  danger  of  the  age  comes  upon  us  from 
the  direction  of  Huxley,  Darwin  and  Tyndall,  rather 
than  from  Moody  and  Sankey.  Irish  Catholics  desire 
to  see  Protestants  deeply  imbued  with  religious  feel- 
ing, rather  than  tinged  with  rationalism  and  infi- 
delity; and  as  long  as  the  religious  services  of  our 
Protestant  neighbors  are  honestly  directed  to  quicken- 
ing religious  thought  in  their  own  body,  without  offer- 
ing aggressive  or  intentional  insult  to  us,  it  is  our  duty 
to  pay  the  homage  of  our  respect  to  their  conscientious 
convictions;  in  a  word,  to  do  as  we  would  be  done 
by."  This  had  a  cheering  effect,  and  did  much  in 
inducing  a  still  more  extended  feeling  of  fraternity 
among  all  classes  of  the  people.  E"o  reference  was 
permitted  to  be  made  in  the  meetings  to  controversial 
differences. 

Th6  children's  meetings  were  very  instructive  and 
full  of  interest.   Mr.  Sankey  was  in  his  element  here. 


THE  WORK  IN  IRELAND. 


165 


In  the  full  tide  of  the  meetiug,  led  by  himself,  while 
all  hearts  were  happy,  in  answer  to  an  inquiry  he  ex- 
claimed, Oh  !  it  is  getting  just  like  Edinburgh.  The 
blessing  is  becoming  like  a  great  wave.  It's  easy 
working  now.''  And  so  it  was.  Every  one  felt  the 
freedom  of  the  hour,  and  there  were  many  hearts 
touched  by  fire. 

The  influence  of  the  meetings  among  the  people  had 
become  wide  and  extended.  It  had  begun  to  tell  upon 
the  most  remote  districts  of  the  country.  Parties  of 
from  thirty  upward  to  sixty  were  organized  irom  the 
most  distant  parts  of  the  city.  Everywhere  the  young 
converts  were  fearless  in  proclaiming  a  found  Saviour, 
who  had  brightened  up  their  whole  lives.  It  was  a  mat- 
ter of  common  notice,  the  great  numbers  of  inquirers 
who  were  at  the  meetings.  One  old  gentleman,  jjrobably 
more  than  seventy  years  of  age,  threw  himself  upon  his 
knees  and  sobbed  until  his  heart  seemed  to  break.  He 
said,  ^'I  was  utterly  careless  about  my  soul  till  last 
night,  but  I  have  been  so  unhappy  since,  I  could  not 
sleep.  I  seemed  to  hear  ringing  in  my  ears,  'Jesus  of 
Nazareth  is  passing  by,'  and  if  I  don't  get  saved  now 
I  never  will."  This  was  but  one  case  out  of  hundreds, 
where  the  powerful  singing  of  Mr.  Sankey  had  brought 
conviction  to  the  heart,  and  was  the  means  of  leading 
them  to  the  Saviour.  It  was  evidence  enough  that 
God  accepted  the  service  of  solo  singing,  and  made  it 
as  effective  as  the  spoken  word  in  the  awakening  and 
conversion  of  the  unregenerate. 

One  of  the  cheeriest  and  most  satisfactory  meetings 
held  in  this  city,  was  a  '^public  breakfast"  given  to 
Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  by  the  clergymen,  and 
professional  and  mercantile  gentlemen  of  all  denomina- 
tions. The  company  numbered  about  two  hundred, 
and  was  held  in  two  of  the  largest  rooms  of  the  Shel- 


166 


MOODY  AXD  SAKKET. 


bourne  Hotel.  The  object  of  the  meeting  ^as  the 
encoiu'agement  of  Christian  unity,  and  to  express  con- 
fidence in  the  revival  work  going  on.  Several  ad- 
dresses were  made  on  the  subjeet,  and  Mr.  Moody  made 
one,  giving  his  way  of  promoting  unity.  He  would 
keep  on  preaching  Christ,  and  not  talk  about  their 
churches,  or  creeds  or  doctrines,  and  then  the  people 
would  be  attracted,  as  sure  as  iron  filings  to  a  magnet. 
By  this  should  all  men  know  that  they  were  Christ's 
disciples,  that  they  loved  one  another.  He  hoped  they 
would  i^reach  Christ  simply,  treating  men  not  as  of  this 
denomination  or  that,  but  as  sinners. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  fifth  week  of  the  meeting,  the 
crowds  at  the  meetings  were  larger  than  ever.  Evi- 
dently the  meetings  were  not  losing  their  hold  upon 
the  iDeople,  but  gaining,  and  winning  more  friends. 
On  Sunday,  it  wa^  said  that  the  crowds  that  flowed 
from  all  parts  of  the  city  and  suburbs  exceeded  any- 
thing ever  before  witnessed  in  Dublin  upon  any  occa- 
sion, or  for  any  x)urpose.  It  was  estimated  that  there 
were  20,000  persons  present,  and  the  stillness  which 
reigned  throughout  the  vast  assembly  was  wonderful. 
Some  one  at  one  of  these  meetings  remarked,  how 
significant  it  was  that  even  a  cough  was  scarcely  heard 
in  the  great  crowd.  When  Mr.  Sankey  sang,  the 
silence  sometimes  became  oppressive,  all  seemingly 
eager  to  hear  every  word  enunciated. 

During  the  week  the  meetings  gradually  increased 
until  the  latter  i)art  of  the  week  dense  crowds  wended 
their  way  to  the  place  of  worship).  The  Bible  readings 
were  early  commenced  in  Dublin,  and  i^ursued  on  the 
same  plan  as  other  places,  and  in  the  afternoon.  They 
were  attended  by  great  numbers  of  people,  from  among 
the  business  men,  and  all  classes  of  the  community.  It 
was  astonishing  to  see  the  hold  which  these  plain, 


THE  WORK  IN  IRELAND. 


167 


simple  services  took  upon  the  minds  of  tile  hearers. 
Many  enjoyed  this  service  more  than  any  other,  for 
the  reason  that  while  the  heart  was  made  glad  the 
mind  was  also  made  the  recipient  of  great  treasures  of 
knowledge. 

The  prayer  meetings  were  regularly  attended  by 
nearly  three  thousand  persons — a  congregation  in  itself 
that  few  ministers  statedly  preach  to.  Eequests  for 
prayer  came  by  the  hundreds  from  all  parts  of  Ireland, 
and  from  several  points  all  over  the  island.  One  day 
the  number  reached  five  hundred,  in  addition  to  which, 
there  were  many  thanksgivings  for  mercies  received  in 
answer  to  prayer,  and  for  the  good  that  had  been  re- 
ceived from  the  meetings.  The  prayer  of  the  righteous 
was  found  to  be  the  most  effectual  means  of  gaining 
favor  with  God. 

One  meeting  of  special  interest,  was  a  tea  given  by 
a  few  Christian  friends  to  about  1,500  soldiers,  one 
hundred  of  whom  came  by  special  train  from  the 
Curragh  camp.  The  meeting  was  one  of  great  in- 
terest, the  services  winning  the  hearts  of  the  soldiers 
at  once.  They  were  urged  to  become  soldiers  under 
the  great  Captain,  many  of  whom  embraced  the  op- 
portunity to  do  so,  among  tlie  rest  one  officer,  who  had 
uot  been  before  favorable  to  religion.  At  the  close  of 
the  services,  an  invitation  Avas, extended  to  those  who 
desired  special  prayer  in  their  behalf,  to  hold  up  their 
hands.  For  a  time  no  one  responded.  The  request 
being  repeated,  one  fair,  tall,  manly  young  fellow, 
with  an  honest,  expressive  face,  standing  in  front  of 
the  sijeaker,  took  courage,  and  lifted  up  his  right 
hand  high  in  the  air.  After  the  way  was  thus  opened, 
a  large  number  indicated  their  desire  to  be  prayed  for. 
It  was  a  meeting  long  to  be  remembered,  and  the  im- 
pressions made  were  of  a  character  to  be  lasting.  • 


168 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


The  special  meetings  for  men,  held  every  night  at 
nine  o'clock,  were  among  the  most  encouraging  of  any 
held.  Many  times  there  Avould  be  as  high  as  2,000 
young  men  present,  from  among  whom  there  were 
secured  some  of  the  best  and  most  zealous  workers 
that  Dublin  was  ever  blessed  with.  The  services  at 
these  meetings  were  of  the  most  impressive  character. 
The  addresses  abounded  with  capital  advice  for  young 
men,  and  the  singing  was  of  the  most  spirited  kind. 
Mr.  Sankey,  himself  young,  fully  entered  into  the 
hopes  and  fears  of  his  youthful  hearers,  and  won  their 
hearts  to  himself,  and  hundreds  of  them  to  the  service 
of  the  Master.  This  was  a  specially  valuable  work, 
on  account  of  the  deleterious  influence  of  a  society  of 
atheists,  who  did  their  utmost  to  discourage  the  meet- 
ings and  win  the  young  men  to  themselves.  They 
labored  hard,  but  it  vvas  like  measuring  arms  with 
God,  for  they  were  discomfited  at  every  point,  l^ot- 
withstanding  every  influence  used,  it  was  apparent 
that  the  Evangelists  had  fully  won  the  hearts  of  the 
youth. 

The  meetings  in  Dublin  closed  with  a  three  days' 
convention,  which  was  attended  by  a  large  number  of 
Christian  workers,  and  about  800  ministers,  from  all 
X)arts  of  Ireland,  besides  thousands  of  the  people.  Th^ 
meetings  of  the  first  day  were  devoted  to  discussions 
on  the  following  topics  :     Praise  and  Thanksgiving;" 

How  are  the  masses  to  be  reached  f  "  What  can  be 
done  to  promote  the  Lord's  work  throughout  Ireland?" 
Tije  results  of  this  meeting  were  most  satisfactory,  and 
an  impetus  given  to  work  among  Christian  teachers, 
that  bid  fair  for  a  glorious  work  even  after  the  Evan- 
gelists had  left.  Mr.  Moody  did  excellent  service  on 
this,  as  well  as  other  occasions,  in  impressing  upon 
ministers  and  others  the  necessity  of  providing  for 


THE  WOKK  IN  IRELAND. 


169 


the  masses  of  the  people,  and  how  to  reach  them. 
Were  his  counsel  and  activity  followed,  there  would 
be  but  little  difficulty  in  finding  an  answer  to  the  third 
question  discussed. 

The  second  day  of  the  convention  was  signalized  by 
a  gathering  of  about  3,000  converts.  These  were 
from  among  all  classes  of  the  i)eople,  and  had  been 
gathered  up  in  the  month's  meeting  at  this  place, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Evangelists.  A 
great  work  indeed,  and  Mr.  Moody  seemed  to  feel  the 
responsibility  of  the  work,  when  he  earnestly  and 
lovingly  counseled  them  to  hold  fast  to  the  faith  which 
was  in  them.  Great  solemnity  pervaded  the  assembly, 
and  the  sadness  of  soon  losing  these  teachers,  was 
scarcely  counterbalanced  by  the  great  joy  which 
welled  up  in  the  hearts  of  the  converts. 

The  third  day  was  taken  up  in  another  gathering 
of  ministers,  where  parting  counsel  was  taken,  and 
encouragement  given  for  the  further  j^rosecution  of 
the  work.  Courtesy  and  love  were  the  ruling  elements 
in  this  great  meeting,  and  it  did  a  work  in  eliminating 
partisan  strife  that  was  worth  twice  over  more  than 
all  the  labor  bestowed  upon  it.  Thus  the  meetings  in 
Ireland  were  brought  to  a  close,  after  a  series  of  suc- 
cessful services,  extraordinary  in  their  character, 
leaving  behind  them  nothing  but  good;  and  leading 
thousands  of  sinners  out  of  death  and  sin,  into  life 
and  happiness. 

8 


The  Return  to  England. 


OHAPTEE  YII. 

MANCHESTER. 

On  Sunday,  the  29th  November,  1874,  Messrs.  Moody 
and  Sankey  began  their  revival  work  in  Manchester, 
England.  The  preparatory  work  for  this  revival  had 
been  going  on  all  the  year,  especially  since  April,  when 
united  evangelistic  services  wcire  held  in  almost  all  the 
non-conformist  places  of  worshij^  throughout  the  dis- 
trict. These  preparatory  meetings  were  brought  to  a 
close  on  the  Saturday  before  the  arrival  of  the  Evan- 
gelists, with  a  communion  service,  in  which  upwards 
of  2,000  Christians  of  various  denominations  joined. 
Countless  prayers  had  risen  for  the  success  of  the  work 
in  this  place,  and  the  way  was  fully  open  for  the  revival. 

Of  the  first  meeting  held  on  Sunday  morning,  a 
writer  in  one  of  the  religious  papers  says:  To  those 
who  know  the  ordinary  habits  of  Manchester,  the 
attendance  was  astonishing,  numbering  nearly,  if  not 
quite,  2,500  persons.  Most  of  these  had  walked  dis- 
tances varying  from  one  to  three  miles,  some  far  more, 
though  the  rain  fell  in  torrents  through  a  thick,  cold 
fog.''  Upon  this  occasion  Mr.  Moody  delivered  an 
insj)iring  address  on  Courage,  Perseverance  and 
Love/'  as  the  three  requisites  of  all  workers  for  God. 
These  points  he  enforced  and  illustrated  in  his  usual 
manner,  declaring  that  God  could  not  use  a  man  desti- 
tute of  courage,  and  that  all  men  whom  God  used  in 
Scripture  times  were  courageous  men.    Sharp,  graphic 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


171 


utterances  sparkled  out  all  over  his  animating  address^ 
wMch  was  followed  up  hy  Mr.  Sankey  singing  ^^Here 
am     send  me.'' 

The  words  of  a  writer  in  attendance  at  the  meetings 
will  give  some  idea  of  the  work  done  that  first  day. 

The  afternoon  meetings  were  still  more  remarkable. 
The  incessant  rain  had  not  abated^  yet  the  overflow, 
after  the  filling  of  the  Oxford  Hall,  crowded  the  Free 
Trade  Hall,  where  the  service  was  carried  on  by  various 
ministers  till  the  American  brethren  arrived  from  the 
other  gathering.  Mr.  Moody's  bright  and  practical 
exposition  of '  the  GospeP  was  listened  to  with  lively 
attention.  A  mighty  interest  was  gathering,  which 
broke  forth  with  wonderful  power  on  the  following 
evening.  That  Monday  evening  meeting  in  the  Free 
Trade  Hall  will  live  long  in  the  memories  of  those  who 
witnessed  it.  ^one  could  withstand  the  conviction 
that  the  Spirit  of  God  was  operating  in  the  solemnized 
assembly  as  they  beheld,  under  the  influence  that 
swayed  the  meeting  during  Mr.  Moody's  appeals,  busi- 
ness men,  one  after  another,  rising  to  be  prayed  for. 
The  address  had  been  growing  in  earnestness;  the 
speaker  seemed  to  come  into  contact  with  the  souls  of 
the  people  before  him.  He  requested  any  who  wished 
to  be  prayed  for  to  rise.  He  quietly  repeated  the  invi- 
tation. One  was  seen  to  stand  in  the  left-hand  gallery, 
and  cover  his  face  with  his  hands 5  another  in  the  area. 
Mr.  Moody  said  solemnly,  ^  There  is  one  risen;  thank 
God  for  that.  Another;  and  another.  Christians, 
keep  on  i)raying.  Another.  Jesus  is  passing  by.  You 
may  never  have  such  an  opportunity  again.  You  may 
never  again  have  so  many  Christians  praying  for  you.' 
Before  many  minutes  people  were  standing  in  all  parts 
of  the  hall,  amid  deep  silence,  broken  only  by  a  hushed 
response  at  each  new  appeal  for  continued  prayer.  At 


172 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


the  close  of  the  meeting  the  anxious  ones  were  invited 
into  the  inquiry  rooms,  where  Mr.  Moody  conversed 
with  them  individually.  He  said  afterwards  that  it 
was  the  best  meeting  he  had  known  on  the  second  day 
of  a  series.  The  crowds  unable  to  obtain  access  to  the 
Free  Trade  Hall  filled  the  Oxford  Hall,  where  a  solemn 
service  was  conducted  by  the  Eev.  W,  E.  Murray.  Mr. 
Sankey  came  from  the  larger  gathering  to  speak  a  few 
words,  and  to  sing  '  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by.''' 

The  evenings  of  the  first  part  of  the  week  Avere  devot- 
ed to  meetings  for  men  in  the  Oxford  Hall.  The  great 
throngs  that  attended  the  meetings  were  wonderfully 
moved  by  the  clear  exposition  of  the  way  of  salvation 
by  faith,  ilkistrated  by  an  admirable  and  telling  use  of 
Scripture,  and  by  graphic  and  pathetic  story.  The 
labor  in  the  inquiry  room  was  very  interesting  on  this 
account.  One  man  rose  from  his  knees,  where  he  had 
committed  himself  to  God,  and  said,  '^I  came  from 
Bolton  to-day.  I  did  not  think  I  should  find  Christ 
his  face  all  aglow  with  the  love  proceeding  from  his 
heart. 

Afternoon  meetings  were  held  for  women  in  the 
chapel,  Oxford  road.  This  spacious  building  would  be 
occupied  in  all  its  available  space,  not  less  than  2,000 
women  being  regularly  in  attendance.  These  were 
powerful  meetings,  and  characterized  by  some  very 
affecting  scenes  and  incidents.  During  the  first  week 
Mr.  Moody  entered  the  church  one  afternoon,  and  he 
found  it  filled  with  weeping  inquirers. 

The  noon  prayer  meetings  were  immediately  organ- 
ized and  set  in  operation,  being  held  in  the  Free  Trade 
Hall,  with  an  attendance  of  from  2,000  to  3,000.  The 
soul  of  the  entire  movement  was  in  these  meetings. 
During  the  first  week  of  these  noon-day  meetin-^s 
Mr.  Moody  found  it  necessary  to  deal  with  the  objec- 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENaLAND. 


173 


tion  that  this  work  was  not  of  God.  Said  be,  What 
do  these  noou  prayer  meetings  mean  ?  What  do  men 
come  here  by  hundreds,  I  might  say  by  thousands,  to 
pray  for  ?  A  genuine  work  of  God.  And  will  he  give 
us  a  counterfeit  ?  If  we  ask  bread  will  he  give  us  a 
stone  ^  The  Shunammite  fell  at  the  feet  of  Blisha  and 
said,  '  as  the  Lord  thy  God  liveth  I  will  not  leave  thee.' 
She  wasn't  going  to  trust  in  that  old  staff,  nor  in  the 
servant.  She  would  trust  only  in  the  Mastery  and 
well  it  was  for  her,  or  she  wouki  never  have  got  back 
her  child.  And  the  prayer  meeting  clings  to  the  feet  of 
God.  We  will  not  have  the  staff;  we  will  not  trust  in 
the  servants,  but  only  in  the  Master  himself;  He  can 
and  will  raise  the  dead." 

One  feature  of  these  noon  meetings  was  peculiarly 
noticeable,  and  that  was  the  large  proportion  of  men 
who  attended.  These  men  came  from  their  business, 
and  represented  nearly  all  classes  of  society.  In  other 
places  the  largest  number  of  those  attending  were 
women,  and  the  contrast  was  specially  striking.  The 
meetings  were  attended  with  great  power.  The  Spirit 
of  prayer  was  indeed  poured  out  upon  all  who  met  to- 
gether, and  thus  a  thorough  preparation  afforded  for 
the  other  meetings.  Mr.  Moody  remarked  at  one  of 
the  noon  meetings,  that  he  had  not  seen  anywhere  more 
real  and  deep  conviction  of  sin,  than  in  some  of  those 
who  had  come  into  the  inquiry  room  at  the  close  of  the 
men's  meeting  during  the  week. 

A  young  man  came  into  one  of  the  noon  prayer 
meetings,  and  afterwards  to  the  evening  meeting,  under 
deep  concern  about  his  soul's  salvation.  He  was  the 
child  of  Christian  parents,  who,  after  praying  for  the 
conversion  of  their  children  for  years,  passed  away 
without  having  their  prayers  answered.  One  of  the 
sons  settled  in  Dublin,  and  another  in  Manchester. 


174 


MOODY  AKD  SANKEY. 


During  Mr.  Moody's  visit  to  Dublin,  tbe  brother  living 
there  was  induced  to  attend  the  meetings,  and  was 
brought  to  the  Saviour.  He  afterwards  wrote  to  his 
brother  in  Manchester,  telling  of  his  own  conversion, 
and  urging  him  to  attend  Mr.  Moody's  meetings.  By 
the  same  post,  the  Dublin  brother's  Christian  wife,  who 
was  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  wrote  to  the  same  effect, 
so  that  the  Manchester  brother  received  the  two  letters 
together.  He  was  so  troubled  about  his  soul  in  con- 
sequence, that  he  at  once  attended  the  meetings  as 
stated.  He  remained  for  the  after  meeting,  and  that 
night  went  home  rejoicing  in  the  Saviour. 

On  the  4th  of  December,  Mr,  Moody  issued  the  fol- 
lowing address  : 

TO  THE  CLEKGY  OF  MANCHESTER  AND  SALFORD. 

Having  come  to  Manchester  with  my  friend,  Mr. 
Sankey,  for  the  month  of  December,  with  the  one 
object  of  preaching  Christ,  it  has  been  a  matter  of  dis- 
appointment that  not  more  clergymen  of  the  Church 
of  England  have  attended  our  meetings. 

As  God  has  granted  large  blessings  where  unity  has 
prevailed,  we  earnestly  trust  that  you  will  join  in  seek- 
ing a  blessing  for  Manchester.  D.  L.  Moody. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  week  the  interest  had  be- 
come intense,  and  a  minister,  writing  of  the  work,  said, 

Manchester,  I  rejoice  to  say,  is  now  on  fire.  The 
most  difficult  of  all  English  cities,  perhaps,  to  be  set 
on  fire  by  anything  but  politics,  is  now  fairly  ablaze, 
and  the  flames  are  breaking  out  in  all  directions."  The 
same  writer,  in  giving  an  account  of  the  meeting  Sun- 
day, December  6,  uses  the  following  graphic  language : 

The  buiidiug  was  densely  crowded.  I^ot  an  inch  of 
standing  room  was  unoccupied.  Long  before  the  ap- 
pointed hour,  hundreds  found  it  imx)ossible  to  gain. 


THE  RETTJBN  TO  ENGLAND.  175 

admission.  And  Mr.  Moody — in  what  terms  shall  I 
describe  Ms  address  ^  Theological  critics  might  have 
said  there  was  nothing  in  it ;  but  only  eternity  will  re- 
veal how  much  there  came  out  of  it.  I  should  not  be 
surprised  if  hundreds  of  conversions  should  result 
from  that  single  mighty  appeal.  Taking  for  his  text 
the  first  question  addressed  to  them^  ^  Where  art  thou  f 
he  brought  it  home  to  the  bosom  of  every  hearer  with  a 
power  and  pathos  that  were  simply  irresistible.  Having 
referred  to  the  case  of  a  young  man  who  had  cried  out 
in  the  inquiry  room  on  Friday  night,  ^  Oh,  mother  I  am 
coming !'  the  young  man  himself  sprang  to  his  feet,  and 
exclaimed  in  tones  of  impassioned  earnestness,  ^  That 
"WAS  ME !'  The  effect  was  electrical.  STot  an  eye  but 
was  suffused  with  tears.  The  whole  vast  assembly  was 
impressed  with  a  profound  sense  of  the  presence  and 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.'' 

The  meetings  of  the  entire  week  partook  of  the  power 
and  solemnity  of  this  Sunday's  service.  The  tide  rose 
steadily,  day  by  day,  until  it  became  full,  overflowing 
the  bank  in  all  directions.  On  Monday  and  Tuesday 
evenings  Mr.  Moody  delivered  his  discourses  on 
Heaven.  They  were  powerful  in  their  effect  upon  the 
audience,  inducing  many  to  seek  after  that  which  is 
better  than  the  treasures  of  the  earth.  Following  this, 
on  Wednesday  evening,  he  delivered  his  discourse  on 
Hell,  which  was  one  of  the  most  impressive  utterances 
during  the  stay  at  Manchester.  The  attention  and 
quiet  during  the  discourse  were  painful,  and  as  the 
eyes  of  the  audience  were  riveted  on  the  speaker,  it 
seemed  as  if  every  word  struck  deep  into  their  hearts, 
though  scarcely  a  sound  broke  the  awful  stillness  with 
which,  for  nearly  an  hour,  the  i^eople  listened  to  the 
fearful  warnings  uttered. 

On  Friday  afternoon,  Mr.  Moody  gave  the  second  of 


176 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


his  Bible  readings,  which  were  very  highly  appreci- 
ated. The  people  readily  fell  in  with  this  delightful 
service,  and  much  good  resulted  to  believers  in  this 
study  of  the  Word  of  God.  In  the  evening  of  the 
same  day,  Free  Trade  Hall  was  again  crowded  with 
an  audience  composed  of  i)ersons  whose  faces  indi- 
cated seriousness  and  reflection.  The  subject  of  the 
discourse  was  the  parable  of  the  marriage  feast.  This, 
with  the  heart-searching  solos  of  Mr.  Sankey,  made  an 
impression  that  had  not  often  been  witnessed  in  the 
meetings. 

On  Saturday  evening  a  meeting  was  held  in  Oxford 
Hall,  which  was  attended  by  3,000  persons,  mainly 
Christian  young  men,  to  hear  counsel  on  the  subject 
of  Christian  work.  Mr.  Moody  made  an  appeal  to 
them  to  go  to  work  for  the  iVlaster,  and  then,  calling 
upon  all  who  were  ready  for  work  to  stand  up,  almost 
the  entire  body  of  young  men — a  grand  and  inspiring 
effect — sprang  to  their  feet. 

At  this  meeting  a  plan  was  suggested  for  making  a 
great  Gospel  attack  on  the  city.  It  was  suggested 
that  a  map  of  the  city  should  be  cut  into  small  squares, 
each  representing  a  district,  and  that  two  or  three 
young  persons  should  undertake  to  carry  the  Gospel, 
in  the  shape  of  a  tract,  or  otherwise,  to  every  house, 
great  and  small,  in  the  city.  A  band  of  workers  was 
organized  for  this  purpose,  and  every  house  visited, 
with  a  card,  bearing  on  one  side  the  hymn,  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  passeth  by,"  and  on  the  other  the  following : 

ADDRESS  BY  MR.  MOODY. 

"  Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock :  if 
any  man  hear  my  voice  and  open  the  door,  I 
will  come  in  to  him,  and  sup  with  him,  and  he 
with  Me.'^    (Eev.  iii.,  20.)    A  woman  in  Glasgow 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENaLAND. 


177 


got  into  difficulties.  Her  rent  was  due,  but  she 
had  no  money  for  the  landlord,  and  she  knew  very 
well  that  he  would  turn  her  out  if  she  did  not  satisly 
his  claim.  In  despair,  she  knew  not  what  to  do.  A 
Christian  man  heard  of  her  distress,  and  came  to  her 
)  door  with  money  to  help  her.  He  knocked,  but  al- 
though he  thought  he  could  hear  some  one  inside,  yet 
the  door  was  not  opened.  He  knocked  again,  but  still 
there  was  no  response.  The  third  time  he  knocked, 
but  that  door  still  remained  locked  and  barred  against 
him ! 

"  Some  time  after  he  met  this  woman  in  the  streets, 
and  told  her  how  he  had  gone  to  her  house  to  pay  her 
rent,  but  could  not  get  in.  ^Oh,  sir!'  she  exclaimed, 
^was  that  you?  Why,  I  thought  it  was  the  landlord 
and  I  was  afraid  to  open  the  door ! ' 

Dear  friends  !  Christ  is  knocking  at  the  door  of 
your  heart.  He  has  knocked  many  times  already, 
and  now  He  knocks  again  by  this  message.  He  is 
your  best  Friend,  although,  like  that  woman,  perhaps, 
you  think  He  comes  with  the  stern  voice  of  justice  to 
demand  from  you  the  payment  of  your  great  sin-debt. 
If  so,  you  are  sadly  mistaken.  He  comes  not  to  de- 
mand^ but  to  give  I  '  The  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life.' 
He  knows  you  can  never  pay  the  great  debt  you  owe 
to  God.  He  knows  that,  if  that  debt  is  not  paid  for 
you,  you  are  for  ever  lost !  He  loves  you,  though  lie 
hates  your  sins;  and,  in  order  that  you  miglit  be 
saved,  He  laid  down  his  life  a  sacrifice  for  the  guilty. 
And,  now.  He  comes  !  bringing  the  gift  of  salvation  to 
the  door  of  your  hearts.    Will  you  receive  the  gift ! 

"B.  L.  Moody." 

It  was  said  that  this  scheme  worked  well,  though 
the  card  was  merely  used  as  an  introduction^  for  the 


178 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


purpose  of  gaining  admission  to  the  honse,  so  as  to 
have  a  i)ersouai  conversation  with  the  inmates. 

Under  the  teachings  of  the  EvangehstSj  great  im- 
petus had  been  given  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association.  They  had  been  looking  for  a  suitable 
building  for  some  time,  and  at  last  iixed  upon  the  old 
museum  building^  located  a  few  yards  from  the  Free 
Trade  Hall.  This  was  iiartially  fitted  up,  and  toward 
the  close  of  the  month  some  meetings  held  in  it.  At 
one  of  these  meetings  about  2,000  persons  assembled 
to  hear  a  lecture  from  Mr.  Moody  on  the  subject  of 
the  Association.  Mr.  Herbert  Spencer  occupied  the 
chair,  and  in  an  address  set  forth  that  tlie  x)urpose 
was  to  purchase  the  old  building  for  30,000  pounds. 
Mr.  Moody  made  an  inspiring  address,  arousing  those 
present  to  the  needs  of  the  Association.  At  the  close 
of  the  address  a  collection  was  taken,  when  it  was 
found  that  8,000  pounds  was  subscribed. 

The  Evangelists  left  Manchester  on  Thursday  after- 
noon, December  31,  for  Sheffield.  For  over  four  weeks, 
in  the  darkest,  coldest  and  dreariest  season  of  the 
year,  had  these  men  toiled  with  great  zeal  and  dili- 
gence, and  their  labors  were  crowned  with  great  suc- 
cess. The  ministers  of  the  city  had  been  brought  to- 
gether still  more  closely  than  ever  before.  Many  of 
the  clergy  of  the  Church  of  England,  who  did  not 
join  the  movement  at  the  first,  afterward  entered 
heartily  into  it,  and  became  efficient  workers.  All 
now  joined  together,  and  used  every  effort  to  win  souls 
and  break  down  the  barriers  of  sin.  One  writer  in 
giving  a  summary  of  the  work  done,  said  ; 

''hi  speaking  of  definite  results,  so  far  as  these  can 
be  ascertained,  I  may  be  forgiven  if  I  begin  with  the 
ministers  of  Manchester.  If  one  class  has  been  blessed 
more  than  another  during  these  four  past  weeks^,  it 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENaLANB, 


179 


has  been  the  regular  Christian  ministry.  I  am  sure  I 
speak  the  sentiments  of  all  my  brethren^  who  have 
thrown  themselves  heart  and  soul  into  the  movement, 
when  I  say  that  we  have  received  nothing  less  than  a 
fresh  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Our  own  souls  have 
been  quickened.  Our  faith  in  the  adaptation  of  the 
glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God  to  the  wants  and 
longings  of  the  human  spirit  has  been  deepened.  Oar 
sense  of  the  magnitude  and  responsibility  of  our 
offices  as  heaven's  ambassadors,  charged  with  a  mes- 
sage of  reconciliation  and  love  for  the  guiltiest  of  the 
guilty,  and  the  vilest  of  the  vile,  has  been  greatly 
increased. 

If  our  dear  friend,  Mr.  Moody,  had  accomplished 
nothing  more  than  the  quickening  of  the  ministers  of 
this  great  centre  of  population,  and  stirring  us  uj)  to 
greater  devotion  to  our  glorious  vocation  as  ^  laborers 
together  with  God,'  his  visit  would  not  have  been  in 
vain." 

The  same  writer,  in  speaking  of  the  Bible  readings 
and  evangelistic  meetings,  has  the  following  to  say: 

"  The  afternoon  Bible  readings  have  been  greatly 
relished  by  thousands.  At  these  Mr.  Moody  surprised 
and  delighted  many  of  us  ministers  by  his  wonderful 
acquaintance  with  the  Word  of  God.  Whatever 
the  subject  in  hand,  whether  the  Blood,  confessing 
Christ,  the  Holy  Spirit,  grace,  faith,  or  assurance,  he 
proved  himself  to  be  a  very  giant  in  Bible  knowledge ; 
and  though  the  immense  audiences,  comprising  some 
of  the  best  of  our  citizens,  did  not  come  provided  with 
the  book  so  generally  as  they  might  have  done,  I  have 
reason  to  believe  that  in  hundreds  of  cases  they  went 
home  to  it  with  souls  hungering  after  righteousness, 
and  determined  to  become  better  ac(3[uainted  with  the 
word  of  life. 


180 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


^^THE  EYANaELISTIC  MEETINaS. 

What  shall  I  say  of  these  in  closing  ?  They  have 
been  blessed  to  vast  numbers.  In  the  inquiry  room,  I 
have  met  with  many  who  stated  that  they  had  never 
had  the  way  of  salvation  so  plainly  put  before  them  as 
by  Mr.  Moody.  In  not  a  few  instances,  too,  Mr.  San- 
key's  beautiful  and  touching  solos,  especially  '  Jesus 
of  ]^azareth  passeth  by,'  ^  Almost  persuaded,'  and 
'  Prodigal  child,'  have  proved  to  be  arrows  of  convic- 
tion, entering  the  heart  in  the  most  unexpected  man- 
ner, and  leading  to  conversion.  And  what  shall  I 
more  say  ^  for  the  time  would  fail  me  to  tell  of  all  the 
blessed  fruits,  already  apparent,  of  the  extraordinary 
efforts  of  these  dear  men  of  God.  Suffice  it  to  say,  in 
a  sentence,  that  all  classes  of  the  community — old  and 
young,  rich  and  poor,  learned  and  ignorant,  ministers 
and  laymen,  masters  and  servants,  teachers  and 
scholars — have  received  a  large  blessing  from  the 
religious  services  conducted  by  the  American  breth- 
ren, and  are  deeply  sensible,  I  trust,  of  the  mighty 
debt  of  gratitude  under  which  they  have  been  laid." 


OHAPTEE  VIII. 

SHEFFIELD  AND  BIE-MINaHAM. 

Sheffield  was  visited  by  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr. 
Sankey  on  Thursday,  December  31st.  They  began 
their  meetings  in  the  Temperance  and  Albert  Halls  at 
nine  o'clock,  P.  M.  of  that  day,  the  services  being  at- 
tended by  a  large  assembly.  Long  before  the  time  for 
opening  the  doors,  an  immense  crowd  had  collected,  and 
when  they  could  gain  admittance,  immediately  filled 
all  available  space.   From  the  opening  of  the  meeting 


THE  KETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


181 


until  after  midniglit,  most  precious  services  were  held, 
the  watch  night  service  being  hekl  in  Albert  Hall. 
Mr.  Moody  was  practical  and  seasonable  in  his  addres- 
ses; and  the  singing  of  Mr.  Sankey  was  very  impres- 
sive and  striking.  Those  who  had  been  merely  curious 
or  altogether  indifferent,  were  attracted  by  the  sweet 
strains  of  the  Christian  songs,  and  earnest  attention 
and  even,  in  some  cases,  silent  weeping,  took  the  place 
of  carelessness.  One  of  the  ministers  present,  wrote  as 
follows  of  the  singing  of  Mr.  Sankey  at  the  watch 
night  service :  ^^One  most  interesting  feature  in  this 
service  was  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  of  ^  Jesus  of  !N"azareth 
passeth  by.'  It  might  be  the  novelty  of  his  style,  or 
the  associations  naturally  arising  at  the  near  approach 
of  the  new  year,  but  I  certainly  have  never  seen  such 
an  effect  produced.  I  have  heard  him  in  all  the  towns 
they  have  visited  in  Scotland,  and  also  in  Manchester; 
but  I  never  heard  him  sing  so  pathetically,  ;tnore 
especially  in  the  last  stanzas : 

"  Too  late  I  too  late  I  will  be  the  cry, 
'  Jesus  of  Nazareth  has  passed  by.'  " 

Mr.  Moody  called  the  attention  of  the  audience  to  the 
fact  that  the  old  year  was  fast  dying — only  a  few  min- 
utes— and  what  if  the  new  year  should  come  and  find 
them  where  they  were — lost!  He  urged  all  present  to 
consecrate  themselves  to  God,  and  the  feeling  had  be- 
come most  intense.  The  whole  audience  then  fell  upon 
their  knees,  and  the  new  year  found  them  engaged  in 
silent  prayer.  Then,  clear  and  distinct  on  the  night 
air,  the  bells,  began  to  ring  in  the  new  year,  all 
being  engaged  in  prayer.  It  was  one  of  the  most 
solemn  scenes  ever  witnessed  in  the  place;  the  most 
intense  stillness  prevailed,  broken  only  by  an  occa- 
sional sob.  The  meeting  was  dismissed,  and  hundreds 
of  happy  souls  wended  their  way  homeward. 


182 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


Friday  evening  a  large  meeting  was  held  in  Cutlers' 
Hall,  which  was  of  great  interest  to  all  who  attended 
it.  A  noon-day  meeting  was  held  on  Saturday,  in- 
tended particularly  for  parents  and  children.  It  was 
held  in  Temperance  Hall,  and  was  of  great  power  and 
effectiveness  for  good.  The  little  ones  were  kept  closely 
interested  throughout,  and  they  seemed  to  understand 
the  Gospel  as  preached  and  sung  to  them. 

Sunday  was  a  day  of  blessed  results.  Three  meet- 
ings were  held  during  the  day,  one  in  the  morning  for 
Christian  workers,  which  was  addressed  by  Mr.  Moody 
on  the  subject  of  work."  At  the  afternoon  meeting, 
Albert  Hall  was  crowded  long  before  the  time  for 
services  to  begin,  and  many  were  turned  away  for 
want  of  room.  The  effect  of  this  meeting  was  astonish- 
ing. Many  persons  who  had  attended  as  scoffers,  and 
who  had  nothing  but  sneering  words  for  the  meeting, 
were  in  tears  at  the  conclusion  of  the  address.  The 
singing  by  Mr.  Sankey  produced  a  marked  effect,  and 
when  lie  sang  ^-Free  from  the  law,  O  happy  condition,'' 
an  impression  was  created  that  was  of  lasting  good. 
The  evening  meeting  was  also  attended  by  an  immense 
concourse  of  i)eople,  and  all  the  coldness  and  indif- 
ference formerly  existing  among  the  Christian  people, 
was  removed,  and  a  feeling  of  cheerfulness  and  en- 
couragement in  their  work  took  their  place.  There 
was  the  most  cordial  feeling  among  all  the  Christians 
of  the  place,  and  the  result  could  not  be  otherwise  than 
blessed. 

Tlie  meetings  from  this  time  until  ^heir  close  at- 
tracted a  great  deal  of  attention.  The  papers  gave  up 
their  space  to  full  and  complete  reports  of  the  services. 
Mr.  Moody's  sermons  were  published  at  considerable 
length  in  the  secular  press,  and  thus  his  burning 
words  carried  to  thousands  of  homes. 


THE  BETUKN  TO  ENGLAND. 


183 


A  eiosing  service  was  lield  on  the  evening  of  their 
last  day  in  Sheffield.  It  was  chiefly  for  the  young- 
con  verts,  who  were  admitted  by  ticket,  and  crowded  a 
large  part  of  the  area  of  Albert  Hall.  The  galleries 
were  also  crowded  long  before  the  hour  for  meeting. 
When  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  had  taken  their  seats 
on  the  platform,  the  audience  broke  out  in  singing  that 
glorious  old  revival  hymn, 

''0  liappy  day!  tliat  fixed  my  choice 
On  Thee,  my  Saviour  and  my  God,"  etc. 

It  was  a  grand,  inspiring  scene — these  thousands  of 
faces,  all  aglow  with  interest,  singing  with  such  spirit, 
the  Christian's  anthem  of  praise.  Mr.  Moody  delivered 
an  address  of  encouragement  and  hope  to  the  converts, 
and  of  great  pungency  and  directness.  It  made  a 
deep  feeling  among  all  present,  and  but  endeared  him 
the  more  to  hundreds  who  had  found  the  Saviour  under 
his  teaching.  Mr.  Sankey  sang  a  parting  hymn  to  the 
tune  of  Home,  sweet  home,"  a  tender,  thrilling  hymn, 
that  caused  many  hearts  to  throb,  as  they  remembered 
that  the  blessedness  of  a  Christian  home  had  been 
revealed  to  them  through  the  instrumentality  of  these 
men. 

The  parting  was  a  very  affecting  one;  all  were  loth 
to  say  the  parting  word,  and  they  separated  with  scores 
weeping  that  they  should  see  the  faces  of  their  teachers 
no  more.  Upwards  of  eighty  clergymen  of  all  denom- 
inations met  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  at  breakfast 
in  the  Imi^erial  Hotel  on  Saturday  morning,  to  bid 
them  farewell.  It  was  a  meeting  of  much  j)ractical 
utility  for  the  subsequent  good  of  the  place.  Plans 
were  laid  that  would  in  their  adoption  be  the  means  of 
preparing  the  way  for  a  still  more  gracious  work  in 
Sheffield. 


184 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


BIRMINaHAM. 

On  Saturday  afternoon,  January  16,  1875,  the  Evan- 
gelists went  to  the  city  of  Birmingham  to  begin  their 
labors.  This  place  of  400,000  people  is  mainly  made 
up  of  the  artisan  class.  It  was  thought  that  a  wide 
field  was  thus  opened  up  for  the  success  of  the  meetings, 
and  it  i)roved  to  be  true.  The  first  service  was  held 
a.t  8  o'clock  Sunday  morning,  in  the  Town  Hall.  The 
meeting  was  called  for  Christian  workers,  and  there 
were  present  some  3,000  people,  crowding  the  hall 
throughout. 

In  the  afternoon  another  meeting  was  held  in  the 
same  place.  The  hall  was  densely  packed  as  soon  as 
the  doors  were  open,  and  thousands  were  turned  away. 
At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  when  the  audience  had 
slowly  passed  out,  a  large  number  of  people  who  had 
been  unable  to  gain  admittance  rushed  in,  but  as 
nobody  was  present  to  speak  to  them  they  had  to  retire. 
One  roughly  clad  man,  to  all  appearance  a  common 
laborer,  who  had  come  in  after  the  meeting  was  over, 
seemed  much  disappointed.  He  had  walked  in  the 
rain  nearly  six  miles  in  order  to  hear  the  Evangelists, 
and  arrived  too  late  to  gain  an  entrance.  He  said  he 
had  to  walk  back  again  and  preach  the  same  evening. 

But  the  meeting  in  Bingley  Hall  in  the  evening  was 
the  most  remarkable  thing  ever  seen  in  the  city.  It  is 
said  to  be  capable  of  holding  10,000  persons,  and  on 
one  occasion  gave  an  audience  of  that  size  to  John 
Bright,  who  spoke  on  political  questions.  There  were 
fully  10,000  people  inside  the  building  on  that  evening, 
every  spot  being  crowded  an  hour  before  the  services 
began,  and  the  doors  were  shut  in  the  faces  of  thou- 
sands. It  was  said  that  the  crowd  outside  was  large 
enough  to  fill  the  building  at  least  twice.   This  would 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENaLAND. 


185 


show  that  30,000  of  the  citizens  of  the  city  were  anxious 
to  hear  the  great  teachers. 

Upon  the  appearance  of  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr,  Sankey, 
by  Mr.  Moody's  request  the  vast  audience  sang,  two 
or  three  times,  the  soul  inspiring  doxology,  Praise 
God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow.''  Mr.  Sankey  sang 
"Jesus  of  l^azareth,"  and,  subsequently,  "  TheMnety 
and  l^ine,"  with  thrilling  effect  and  wonderful  power. 
His  voice  rang  through  the  immense  building,  and 
reached  every  ear  and  every  heart.  It  was  a  memo- 
rable day  in  Birmingham,  and  all  seemed  to  realize 
that  the  power  of  God  was  among  them. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  holding  services  in 
BingleyHall  every  evening,  except  Saturday.  The  noon- 
day i^rayer  meeting  was  established,  and  hundreds 
were  turned  away  daily,  because  there  was  not  room  in 
the  hall — Town  Hall — to  hold  them.  Crowded  meetings 
in  Carr's  Lane  Chapel,  were  also  held.  But  the  meet- 
ings in  the  evenings  were  the  centre  of  interest.  One 
writer  in  describing  them  used  the  following  language: 
"  To  convey  to  the  mind  of  the  reader  the  sight  which 
presents  itself  on  entering  Bingley  Hall  is  impossible. 
Sloping  down  from  the  galleries  which  run  round  the 
building,  other  galleries  have  been  erected,  and  the 
whole  building,  from  the  speaker's  platform,  looks  like 
one  vast  amphitheatre.  The  crimson  cloth  which 
drapes  the  galleries  adds  to  the  general  effect,  and 
makes  the  hall  (said  to  be  one  of  the  dreariest  looking 
buildings  in  the  Midland  counties)  look  very  comfort- 
able. The  immense  sea  of  faces  is  singularly  impres- 
sive, especially  when  from  12,000  to  15,000  people  are 
listening  eagerly  to  catch  the  words  that  fall  from  the 
speaker's  lips." 

The  success  during  the  first  few  days  was  astonish- 
ing, and  beyond  the  expectations  of  the  most  san- 


186 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


guine.  The  whole  city  was  aroused.  Go  where  you 
would,  the  one  topic  of  conversation  was  the  doings  of 
these  wonderful  men  of  God.  In  the  counting-rooms, 
shopSj  trains,  and  refreshment  rooms,  everywhere,  the 
people  talked  about  the  gracious  work  going  on,  and 
then  crowded  by  thousands  to  hear  the  simple  story  of 
the  cross. 

The  following  incidents  of  work  in  the  inquiry  room 
will  give  some  idea  of  the  interest  excited.  They  are 
related  by  a  writer  in  the  Christian": 

One  evening,  as  I  went  into  the  Presbyterian 
Church  to  the  men's  inquiry  meeting,  I  saw  a  man 
about  thirty -five,  sitting  close  to  the  door,  with  a  cold, 
sarcastic  look  upon  his  face.  Somewhat  against  my 
inclination,  and,  I  suppose,  my  flesh,  I  turned  back, 
and  sitting  down  beside  him,  said — 

Well,  my  friend,  are  you  a  sinner  ? 

Frowning  at  me,  he  said,  sharply,  Ifo. 

What,  not  a  sinner  ? 

No,  I've  never  sinned  in  my  life. 

What,  never  told  or  acted  a  lie  ? 

I^o. 

E'ever  got  into  a  temper  ? 
E'o,  never  intentionally, 
l^ever  thought  anything  wrong  ? 
Not  that  I  know  of. 

Mr.  Moody  had  been  that  evening  giving  his  heart- 
searching,  sin-revealing  address  on,  "  There  is  no  dif- 
ference."  I  said,  in  amazement — 

Can  you  say  all  this  after  what  you've  just  heard 
Mr.  Moody  declare  1 

Oh,  said  he,  I  haven't  heard  him. 

What  brings  you  here,  then 

I  thought  I'd  just  step  in  and  have  a  look. 

I  then  read  to  him,  slowly  and  prayerfully,  Eom.  iii. 
9—26,  and  again  looking  at  him,  said — 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENOLAND. 


187 


What  can  you  B^iy  now  ? 

His  careless  look  was  exchanged  for  a  look  of  pain 
and  conviction  ;  his  proud  neck  was  bent,  as  he  said, 
in  a  startled  way — 

Why,  I'm  lost. 

Oh,  now,  said  I,  I  can  tell  you  of  Jesus,  who  came  to 
seek  and  to  save  the  lost.  And  I  read  to  him  that  text, 
and  Isa.  liii.  5,  6,  and  Matt,  xi,  20,  when  he  said — 

I'm  lighter  and  easier  now. 

He  told  me  he  had  a  Christian  wife  at  home.  And 
won't  she  be  giad  to  hear  I'm  saved  ?  said  he. 

He  prayed,  then  went  down  to  his  house,  no  longer 
a  Pharisee,  but  a  poor  Publican,  justified  through  be- 
lieving in  Jesus.  Another  hard  heart  falling  on  Christ, 
and  being  broken  and  healed  too. 

One  more  case,  and  I  must  close.  On  one  of  the 
first  evenings,  as  I  looked  up  and  down  the  same 
church,  I  saw,  away  at  the  end  of  a  pew,  a  big,  rough- 
looking  man,  clad  in  a  sack  suit,  and,  to  all  appear- 
ance, a  navvy,  kDceling  on  the  floor,  with  his  arms  on 
the  pew  seat,  and  his  head  buried  in  them.  I  went  to 
him,  and,  kneeling  beside  him,  put  my  hand  on  his 
great  broad  back,  and  said,  Why,  friend,  what's  the 
matter  ?  The  only  answer  was  a  groan.  Do  you  want 
to  be  saved  ^  Another  deep  groan,  which  spoke  vol- 
umes of  intense  pain  for  sin,  and  desire  to  be  forgiven. 
I  quoted  one  or  two  Scriptures  to  him,  including  1 
John  i.,  7 — 0,  and  John  v.,  24,  and  said,  Now  will  you 
believe  these Because,  if  you  do,  jon  are  a  saved 
man  at  once.  And  he  said,  Yes,  I  will.  And  the 
groans  ceased,  his  voice  got  cheerful,  he  lifted  uj)  his 
head,  and  looked  at  me  for  the  first  time,  and  a  smile 
came  across  his  burly  face,  as,  with  tears  in  his  not 
often  moistened  eyes,  he  said,  in  reply  to  my  question. 
Well,  aren't  you  happy  now  ?  Yes,  I  am. 


188 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


As  he  went  out  I  introduced  liim  to  a  minister,  and 
said  in  his  presence,  Well,  how  are  you  now?  Oh, 
said  he,  his  rough  face  beaming,  I'm  right  enough  now. 
And  his  after  actions  have  proved  the  genuineness  of 
his  conversion. 

I  have  seen  him  at  nearly  all  the  meetings.  Every 
night  he  finds  his  way  to  the  young  men's  inquiry 
meeting  from  his  lodging-house  home }  and  although 
he  can  neither  read  nor  write,  he  can,  and  does,  tell 
out  of  the  abundance  of  his  overflowing  heart  what 
Jesus  has  done  for  him,  and  what  He  will  do  for  all.'^ 

Of  the  work  done  during  the  first  eight  days,  the 
Morning  Neivs^  of  that  city,  had  the  following  to  say : 

Never  before  in  the  history  of  Birmingham,  I  be- 
lieve, have  two  men  drawn  such  large  numbers  of 
l)eople  together  as  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  have 
done,  time  after  time,  during  the  whole  of  last  week 
and  yesterday.  The  Town  Hall,  Carr's  Lane  Chapel, 
and  Bingley  Hall  have  been  entirely  filled  at  most  of 
their  meetings,  uncomfortably  crowded  at  some,  and 
all  but  full  at  one  or  two  others.  Since  commencing 
their  labors  here  they  have  held  twenty-two  services, 
namely,  four  in  Carr's  Lane  Chapel,  six  in  the  Town 
Hall,  and  twelve  in  Bingley  Hall,  l^o  doubt  in  many 
cases  the  same  persons  presented  themselves  at  the 
meetings  again  and  again  5  but  it  is  probable  that  the 
audiences  were,  for  the  most  part,  different  on  each 
occasion.  At  the  four  meetings  in  Carr's  Lane  Chapel 
some  12,000,  at  the  six  in  the  Town  Hall  about  24,000, 
and  at  the  twelve  in  Bingley  Hall  at  least  120,000 
persons  must  have  been  present,  making  a  total  of 
156,000  men,  women,  and  children,  to  whom,  during 
the  last  eight  days,  they  have  preached  and  sung  the 
gospel,  ^ov  does  the  interest  in  the  men  and  their 
work  as  yet  know  any  abatement." 


THE  KETUHN  TO  ENGLAND. 


189 


On  account  of  tlie  crowds  who  attempted  to  get 
into  the  Town  Hall  at  the  noon-day  prayer  meeting^ 
the  place  was  changed  to  Bingley  Hall,  where  thou- 
sands more  could  attend  and  enjoy  the  sweet  hour  of 
prayer.''  The  afternoon  Bible  readings  found  great 
favor^  and  were  attended  by  large  audiences.  They 
simply  reenacted  the  scenes  witnessed  in  Scotland  at 
the  same  meetings,  and  were  here,  as  there,  the  means 
of  arousing  greater  interest  in  the  study  of  the  Bible. 

The  evening  meetings  increased  in  power  as  they 
increased  in  attendance,  night  after  night.  The  Hall 
was  usually  crowded  an  hour  before  the  time,  which 
was  occupied  in  singing.  It  was  a  glorious  scene — 
15,000  people  joining  together  in  singing  a  favorite 
hymn  1  And  the  sight  of  such  an  assemblage,  con- 
gregated together  to  listen  to  the  loving,  sympathizing, 
fervent  preaching  of  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified,'' 
was  one  that  can  never  be  effaced  from  the  memories 
of  the  residents  of  that  great  city.  In  song  and 
preaching  alike  they  were  roused  from  their  apathy, 
and  led  to  do  a  personal  work  for  the  Master. 

On  Tuesday,  January  26,  an  '^All  Day  Convention" 
was  held  in  Birmingham.  It  was  attended  by  immense 
crowds,  and  many  well  known  ministers  and  others 
were  present  from  London  and  various  towns  in  the 
provinces,  as  well  as  Scotland  and  Ireland.  Mr. 
Moody  presided  at  the  meetings.  The  first  hour  was 
devoted  to  praise,  and  all  the  speakers  concurred  in 
csaying  that  a  new  song  had  been  put  into  their  mouths 
through  the  instrumentality  of  the  meetings  already 
held.  The  next  hour  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Moody  in 
an  address  on  "  Work,"  and  his  trenchant  words  were 
potent  with  blessing,  in  stimulating  all  x^resent  to  do 
more  than  ever  for  the  Master  in  their  resi)ective  fields 
of  labor. 


190 


MOODY  AITO  SANKEY. 


^^How  to  conduct  prayer  meetings''  was  the  next 
topic,  followed  by  How  to  reach  the  masses,''  and 
the  "Question  Drawer."  In  the  eyening  a  public 
service  was  held  in  the  same  place.  Eev.  ^Tewman 
Hall,  of  London,  delivered  an  address,  earnestly  en- 
treating all  i^resent  to  forsake  sin  and  come  to  Christ. 

Mr.  Sankey's  singing  of  his  sacred  songs  made  a 
deep  impression  upon  the  great  congregation.  Noth- 
ing equalled  his  matchless  songs  in  reaching  the  hearts 
of  the  thousands  who  listened  to  him.  They  seemed 
to  have  a  potency  that  no  other  instrumentality  had. 
The  heart-searching  addresses  of  Mr.  Moody,  with  the 
solos  sung  by  Mr.  Sankey,  met  the  demand  that  came 
up  from  the  people,  who  were  anxious  to  know  how 
to  gain  eternal  life. 

On  Friday  evening  there  was  a  great  meeting  in 
Bingley  Hall,  when  Mr.  Moody  referred  to  the  fact 
that  there  had  been  some  difficulty  in  j)rocuring  the 
Hall  for  another  week,  and  said,  relative  to  tbe  work 
being  done,  "  We  have  had  great  blessings  in  other 
towns,  but  I  think  we  never  met  with  anything  that 
came  up  to  this — to  our  meetings  in  Birmingham.  I 
must  say  I've  never  enjoyed  i)reaching  the  gospel 
more  than  I  have  done  since  we  came  to  Birmingham. 
We've  reached  so  many  people.  I  only  wish  we  could 
have  such  a  hall  wherever  we  go.  I  think  if  we  could 
only  take  up  Bingley  Hall  we  would  carry  it  round  the 
world  with  us,  as  a  place  in  which  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel to  all  men.  But  I  would  like  you  Birmingham 
I)eople  to  go  with  us.  Why,  almost  any  man  could 
speak  in  this  hall  to  such  a  meeting  as  this.  We'll  go 
on,  then.  Pray  there  may  be  hundreds  and  thousands 
converted  next  week.  If  things  do  not  always  please 
you,  don't  complain  5  just  pray.  Pray  for  a  great 
blessing  next  week." 


THE  BETTJEN  TO  ENOLAKD. 


191 


The  farewell  meeting  was  held,  on  Friday,  February 
5thj  in  the  evening,  when  Bingley  Hall  was  once  more 
crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity.  There  were  1,600  con- 
verts' tickets  applied  for,  besides  a  few  hundred  who 
were  anxious  inquirers.  This  will  give  some  idea  of 
the  work  done  in  this  city,  in  the  course  of  a  three 
weeks'  meeting.  Mr.  Moody's  address  to  the  converts 
was  a  very  affecting  one,  full  of  counsel  and  warnings. 
His  parting  sentences  were  the  expression  of  affection- 
ate regard,  and  it  was  plain,  from  the  demeanor  of  the 
audience,  that  the  parting  on  their  side  was  a  most 
painful  one.  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the  farewell  hymn  with 
great  power,  wonderfully  reaching  the  affections  of  the 
great  audience  before  him.  Upon  leaving  the  Hall, 
the  two  were  besieged  with  friends  anxious  to  receive 
a  parting  shake  of  the  hand. 

A  correspondent  writes  concerning  this  meeting: 
"We  shall  never  forget  that  address.  Such  was  the 
almost  involuntary  exclamation  of  a  well  dressed  me- 
chanic who  was  standing  by  us  in  the  aisle  of  Bingley 
Hall.  And  truly  the  work  of  the  Lord  in  this  town  is 
such  as  has  never  before  been  seen  here.  We  were  pray- 
ing and  expecting  great  things,  but  the  blessing  has 
exceeded  our  expectations ;  never  before  have  the 
people  of  every  class  been  so  moved  and  such  glorious 
results  followed.  A  week  having  elapsed  since  Mr. 
Moody  left  us,  we  are  enabled  to  speak  in  a  measure 
of  results.  First,  the  life  of  the  ministers  who  have 
taken  part  has  been  largely  increased,  so  that  the  testi- 
mony of  many  of  the  hearers  last  Sunday  was  '  Our 
minister  preaches  like  a  new  man  f  then  the  renewed 
life  of  the  churches  is  already  manifesting  itself  in  the 
desire  to  work  either  in  Sunday  schools  or  tract  dis  - 
tricts; and  besides  this*  the  people  outside  are  more 
disposed  to  hear  the  gospel,  many  coming  into  our 


192 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


cliurches  last  Sundajj  and  in  more  cases  than  one  when 
notice  was  given  out  after  the  service  that  inquirers 
would  be  spoken  to,  numbers  varying  from  twenty  to 
sixty  j)assed  into  the  vestry,  and  many  rejoiced  in  a 
new-found  Saviour.  In  our  own  chapel  we  have  had 
services  nightly,  and  such  a  gracious  time  we  never 
knew  before,  on  each  occasion  the  chapel  being  crowded, 
and  many  coming  after  into  the  vestry,  and  going  home 
happy  in  Jesus.  Our  hearts  are  indeed  full  of  praise; 
should  we  be  silent  the  stones  might  well  cry  out,  ^  But 
we  will  bless  the  Lord  from  this  time  forth,  and  forever- 
more.' 

The  most  marked  results  of  the  series  of  meetings 
were  the  cordiality  with  which  all  denominations  la- 
bored together,  the  absence  of  all  sectarianism  5  an  un- 
compromising testimony  against  a  worldly  Christianity, 
and  in  favor  of  a  thoroughly  spiritual  life  5  and  the  duty 
of  every  one  to  work  for  Christ.  This  was  the  good 
directly  done  the  church,  in  addition  to  which,  hun- 
dreds of  zealous  Avorkers  were  added  to  it,  from  among 
the  converts.  In  every  sense  of  the  term,  they  were 
grandly  successful. 


OHAPTEE  IX. 

LIVERPOOL. 

The  visit  of  the  Evangelists  to  Liverpool  was  looked 
to  with  continually  increasing  interest,  by  the  Christian 
people  there.  An  immense  hall  was  erected  for  their 
special  use,  the  building  being  174  feet  in  length  and 
124  feet  in  width,  with  a  gallery  at  the  extreme  end  of 
40  feet  deep,  and  at  the  sides  26  feet  deep.  It  was  well 
lighted  by  80  windows,  and  ^sufficiently  warmed  and 
ventilated.   A  room  for  inquirers  was  provided,  116  by 


THE  KETUEN  TO  ENGLAND. 


193 


34  feet.  The  buikling  held  from  10,000  to  11^,000  per- 
sons, and  was  erected  in  40  days,  at  a  cost  of  3,500 
pounds,  which  was  met  by  voluntary  contribution. 

The  meetings  were  commenced  in  Liverpool  on  Sun- 
day morning,  February  7,  the  first  meeting  being  held 
at  8  o'clock  A.M.  This  service  was  for  Christian  work- 
ers, and  was  attended  by  about  5,000  persons,  though 
the  morning  was  a  cold  and  miserable  one.  Mr.  Moody 
addressed  the  congregation  on  some  of  the  prominent 
qualities  which  are  necessary  for  successful  wwk  for 
Christ.  During  the  address,  it  was  evident  that  the 
hearts  of  many  of  those  present  were  deeply  stirred. 
Many  thought  it  a  great  folly  to  erect  such  a  large 
building  for  the  meetings,  to  which  Mr.  Moody  referred, 
saying  that  many  people  thought  the  Victoria  Hall  was 
a  bad  investment,  but  that,  if  souls  were  born  there, 
perhaps  some  of  them  Would  like  to  take  a  little  stock 
in  it. 

An  afternoon  meeting  was  held,  during  which  the  Hall 
was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity,  and  hundreds  were 
turned  away  for  want  of  room.  The  evening  meeting 
was  attended  by  an  immense  crowd  of  people ;  and  it 
was  evident  that  a  large  number  of  the  non-church 
going  class  was  present.  Many  hundreds  of  these 
could  be  observed  sitting  together  in  their  working  day 
clothes,  who  listened  with  the  most  breathless  attention 
to  the  message  from  the  preacher's  lii3S.  Much  feeling 
pervaded  the  audience,  and  it  was  evident  that  many 
souls  had  been  set  to  thinking  in  a  way  new  to  them. 

The  first  noon-day  prayer  meeting  was  held  on  Mon- 
day at  12  o'clock,  when  Mr.  Moody  gave  a  most  char- 
acteristic and  stirring  address,  calling  the  attention  of 
Christians  to  their  own  personal  responsibilities,  and 
to  the  possibilities  of  usefulness  which  lay  before  them. 
The  evening  meeting  was  again  crowded,  at  the  conclu- 

9 


194 


310 ODY  AJXD  SAKKET. 


sion  of  which  the  first  opportunity  was  given  for  anxious 
inquii^ers  to  he  spoken  with.  The  services  had  been 
most  searching.  Mr.  Moody  dehvered  a  ix)werftil 
addi^ess.  in  which  he  had  shown  man's  unntterably  lost 
condition  vdthout  Christ,  and  with  all  simplicity  and 
affectionate  earnestness,  he  held  np  a  crncitied  Saviour 
for  the  accex3tance  of  sinners.  ]^»Ir.  Sankey's  singing 
attracted  close  attention,  and  as  he  sang  to  them  about 
that  Jesns  of  Xazareth  who  claimed  their  service,  the 
most  profound  feeling  was  excited.  Hundreds  rushed 
to  the  inquiry  room,  where  many  striking  instances  of 
conversion  occurred.  In  one  case  a  young  man,  a  scoff- 
ing infidel,  met  one  of  the  ministers  present,  and 
informed  him  that  he  came  into  the  hall  to  scoff  at  all 
he  heard.  Said  he,  I  believed  only  in  God  and  the 
Devil^  the  latter  I  served  well,  and  as  sitting  laughing 
at  the  fools  (as  I  ihen  thought)  about  me,  that  beauti-  ^ 
fill  hymn.  'Safe  in  the  arms  of  Jesus,'  was  sung.  A 
sudden  thrill  j^assed  through  my  whole  frame,  and  then 
like  a  dart  ran  through  my  very  heart.  My  feelings 
were  awful,  but  I  listened  to  the  next  verse,  and  felt 
there  is  a  Saviour.  ^Tho  is  E"e?  Where  is  He? 
Insta]itly  I  realized  the  truth.  Jesus  is  the  Saviour.  I 
threw  myself  into  his  loving  arms,  and  here  I  am  now, 
rejoicing  in  Him." 

^'Blessed  be  God."  said  the  minister,  for  such  news. 
Kow,  brother,  go  home  and  tell  your  friends  what  great 
things  God  hath  done  for  your  soul.*' 

"Will  you  pray'"  he  said. 

They  went  together  to  the  throne,  and  then  he  said, 
God  bless  you:  I  will  now  live  and  work  for  Jesus.'' 
The  first  convert  in  the  city  was  a  young  man  won 
through  the  singing,  which  evidently  had  the  effect  of 
moving  hundreds  of  persons  to  seek  the  Saviour. 
Persons  irom  all  classes  of  society  were  to  be  found  in 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENaLATO). 


195 


the  inquiry  rooms,  broken  clown  and  earnestly  seeking 
for  light. 

On  Tuesday  of  this  week  the  noon-day  prayer  meeting 
was  attended  by  an  immense  audience,  w^hen  there  were 
numerous  special  requests  for  prayer.  The  meetings 
at  night  were  the  most  encouraging  yet  held,  the 
attendance  being  very  large,  and  the  interest  intense. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  cases  in  the  inquiry  room 
was  that  of  a  young  man  who  for  a  long  time  refused 
to  be  comforted  by  reason  of  his  having  succeeded  in 
prejudicing  the  minds  of  so  many  of  his  companions 
against  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey,  and  thus  prevent- 
ing their  attending  the  meetings.  Sup]30se,"  said  he, 
"  they  should  die  unsaved  through  meF  Afterwards 
he  brought  one  of  these  persons  into  the  inquiry  room, 
and  induced  the  others  to  attend  the  meetings. 

Another  young  man  said,  I  am  under  a  dreadful 
temptation.  I  was  given  drink  by  a  man  x^rofessing  to 
be  a  Christian,  and  whom  I  have  heard  preaching  the 
truth  to  me  and  others,  but  who  is  opposed  to  Moody 
and  Sankey,  and  I  was  sent  here  by  him  to  give  annoy- 
ance. Kow  I  am  brought  to  Christ,  in  place  of  dishon- 
oring Christ  in  this  meeting,  what  am  I  to  do  to  that 
manf  He  was  directed  to  pray  for  the  man,  and  w^as 
brought  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

On  Thursday  a  very  interesting  noon-day  meeting 
was  held,  where  there  were  over  seventy  special  requests 
for  prayer.  The  following  interesting  case  of  the  con- 
version of  a  seaman  was  narrated  by  one  who  had  met 
him  in  the  inquiry  room: 

Can  such  a  wretch  as  I  be  saved  f  was  the  ques- 
tion asked  me  by  a  seaman  whom  I  knew  twelve  years 
since,  the  son  of  a  humble  but  truly  pious  man.  Oft 
had  he  wept  over  his  thoughtless  son,  but  faith  never 
failed  him.    He  still  said  James  will  be  all  right  yet. 


196 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


What  was  my  joy  may  be  conceived,  but  cannot  be 
expressed,  when  the  above  question,  ^  Can  such  a  wretch 
as  1  be  saved?'  was  asked,  and  a  strong  seaman  caught 
my  hand. 

'  Yes,  J ames,  you  can,  and  God  is  this  night  answer- 
ing the  prayers  of  your  dear  good  father.' 
^  But,  sir,  I  am  such  a  sinner.' 
'  ISio  matter  if  every  sin  you  have  committed  was 
as  aggravated  as  all  the  sins  of  your  life  combined,  and 
that  you  committed  ten  thousand  sins  for  every  one  of 
which  you  are  guilty,  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  God's 
Son,  can  cleanse  from  all  sin.' 

"  '  Oh,  but  I  am  so  ashamed  I  cannot  look  up.'  Such 
was  the  feeling  of  the  poor  prodigal  5  but  the  loving 
Father  was  not  ashamed  to  take  his  sinful  son  to  His 
heart  and  home. 

u  c  y^iii  yoii  g[YQ  yourself  to  Christ?' 
'  I  will,'  was  his  reply,  '  and  I  go  to  sea  to-morrow, 
sailing  for  America  as  I  never  did  before.' " 

At  3  o'clock  this  day  the  afternoon  Bible  readings 
were  commenced  in  the  College  Hall,  Shaw  street, 
which  held  about  2,500  persons.  It  was  overcrowded 
at  this  first  meeting,  and  hundreds  turned  away. 

The  evening  was  wet  and  disagreeable,  but  the  hall 
was  again  crowded  to  excess  nearly  an  hour  before  the 
meetings  commenced.  The  services  were  most  impres- 
sive throughout,  and  over  400  i)ersons,  anxious  about 
their  souls,  remained  behind  in  the  hall  and  in  the 
inquiry  rooms.  Many  touching  cases  of  those  who 
sought  the  Saviour,  were  witnessed.  One  grandmother 
had  come  bringing  with  her  an  orphan  grand-child;  a 
father,  who  was  anxious  about  his  son,  brought  him  to 
the  meeting,  and  both  went  home  rejoicing;  and  in- 
deed all  conditions  of  people  were  present.  The  good 
work  in  the  hands  of  these  two  men  seemed  like  the 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENOLAND. 


197 


noble  river  pouring  its  waters  down  the  mountain, 
reaching  the  valley,  deepening,  widening,  and  expand- 
ing itself  by  the  numerous  tributaries  which  joined  it, 
flowing  on  with  irresistible  majesty,  bearing  before  it 
every  barrier  of  man,  and  yet  not  a  ripple  on  its  placid 
surface. 

Friday  night  the  audience  was  as  great  and  varied 
as  on  previous  evenings.  After  the  hymn  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  passeth  by,"  by  Mr.  Sankey,  Mr.  Moody 
spoke  on  the  subject  of  the  ^^new  birth.''  A  large 
number  stayed  behind  to  be  conversed  with,  the  in- 
quiry rooms  being  full,  besides  numbers  in  the  body  of 
the  hall.  The  Eev.  Mr.  Matthias,  of  St.  Matthew's 
Church,  mentioned  a  remarkable  case  he  had  dealt 
with,  that  of  an  old  lady  just  turned  100  years  of  age, 
who  had  been  brought  to  the  meeting  by  her  relatives, 
and  who  that  evening  had  found  peace.  A  gentleman 
mentioned  that  during  the  week  seven  in  one  family 
had  been  won  for  the  Saviour.  Several  cases  of  con- 
version through  the  singing  were  related,  one  some- 
what remarkable,  through  Mr.  Sankey  singing  '^Noth- 
ing but  leaves"  at  the  Bible  reading  in  the  afternoon. 

On  Sunday  the  14th  the  meetings  were  wonderfully 
interesting.  At  eleven  o'clock,  a  meeting  for  those  who 
attended  no  place  of  worship,  gathered  fully  6,000  per- 
sons, chiefly  young  men.  The  services  were  direct, 
searching,  and  effective,  reaching  the  hearts  of  the 
people  in  a  remarkable  manner.  At  the  close  of  the 
address,  upon  the  relation  of  an  anecdote  regarding  a 
dying  ^'prodigal  son,"  every  head  was  bowed,  and  the 
audience  moved  to  tears.  Upon  the  conclusion  of  the 
meeting,  243  persons  immediately  went  into  the  in- 
quiry room.  Nearly  every  one  in  the  after  meeting 
professed  to  find  peace.  One  poor  working  man  gave 
one  of  the  ministers  a  sovereign,  his  entire  savings,  as  a 
thank  offering  to  the  Lord  for  salvation  found. 


198 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


At  three  o'clock  a  meeting  for  females  was  held  in 
the  hall,  which  Avas  crowded  to  excess.  At  its  close^ 
iu  response  to  an  invitation,  over  500  females,  young 
and  old,  rose  to  their  feet,  thereby  expressing  their 
anxiety  to  be  saved. 

At  night,  upwards  of  11,000  persons  crowded  into 
the  hall,  while  thousands  remained  outside,  unable  to 
gain  admission.  It  was  a  scene  of  great  power,  and 
produced  marked  effect,  over  500  men  remaining  be- 
hind, anxious  for  salvation. 

The  passing  of  the  days  but  increased  the  interest  in 
the  work.  The  whole  city  seemed  to  be  given  up  to 
the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  business  men,  who  had 
never  before  been  diverted  from  their  business  b^^  any 
cause,  were  constant  in  their  attendance  upon  religious 
worship.  The  meetings  were  the  subject  of  conversa- 
tion everywhere. 

A  stationer  said  he  sold  very  few  valentines,  but 
that  he  had  sold  about  forty  pounds'  worth  of  Sankey's 
hymn  books.  He  was  not  sure  that  the  smallness  of 
the  number  of  valentines  sold  was  a  result  of  Moody 
and  Sankey's  visit,  but  he  was  quite  clear  that  the 
selling  of  so  large  a  number  of  hymn  books  vras  a  con- 
sequence of  ^^the  wondrous  gatherings  day  by  day.'' 
All  classes  were  reached.  A  daily  paper  speaking  of 
the  meetings  said:  ^'Handsome  private  carriages 
drove  up  and  set  down  fashionably-dressed  ladies,  and 
it  could  be  seen  at  a  glance  that  a  considerable  number 
of  the  throng  belonged  to  the  middle  class.  Merchants 
might  be  seen  dropjjing  in  casually  to  have  a  look  at 
the  Evangelists,  and  other  business  men  whose  avoca- 
tions did  not  press  so  heavily  upon  them  stayed  out 
the  service,  ensconced  in  one  of  the  distant  aisles  from 
which  they  had  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the  new  Evangelist 
and  his  musical  colleague.  Curiosity  drew  to  the  place 


THE  BETUEN  TO  ENGLAND. 


199 


several  county  magistrates^  and  amongst  the  body  of 
the  audience  we  noticed  many  prominent  public  men, 
and  for  the  first  time  groups  of  country  cousins  who 
were  drawn  thither  by  the  fame  of  Messrs.  Moody  and 
Sankey." 

Besides  these^  the  humbler  classes  were  reached,  so 
that  the  Gospel  was  literally  "preached  to  all  men'^  in 
that  city. 

On  Sunday,  the  28th,  the  attendance  at  all  the 
meetings  was  immense.  'Sot  only  was  the  hall  crowd- 
ed at  8  A.  M,,  but  the  circus  also  was  filled,  and  many 
hundreds  were  crowded  out.  The  same  was  true  of 
the  afternoon  and  evening  services.  On  the  latter 
occasion  it  was  estimated  that  no  less  tban  20,000  per- 
sons sought  admission  to  the  hall,  which  was  x)acked 
with  11,000  men.  The  inquiry  room  was  literally 
crammed  with  men  after  the  services,  none  but  anxious 
inquirers  being  admitted. 

An  all-day  convention  was  held  in  March,  one  of  the 
most  interesting  during  the  whole  of  the  meetings. 
Dublin  and  Belfast,  Manchester  and  Birmingham, 
Edinburgh  and  Glasgow,  were  represented  in  it,  not 
only  to  give  thanks  for  the  great  work  done  in  their 
places,  but  to  testify  that  the  work  had  stootl.  The 
testimony  regarding  the  blessing  on  the  singing  of  Mr. 
Sankey's  hymns  came  from  every  corner  of  the  land ; 
it  had  accompanied  all  the  preaching  of  the  Word  in 
special  services.  To  the  ends  of  the  world  the  nations 
are  receiving  the  Gospel  through  this  medium.  It  was 
a  meeting  long  to  be  remembered,  and  left  behind  it 
great  good. 

In  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  March  2d,  Mr.  Moody 
delivered  an  address,  in  connection  with  a  special  ap- 
peal wliich  was  being  made  for  funds,  on  behalf  of  the 
new  building  being  erected  for  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 


200 


MOODY  AND  SAA^KEY. 


tian  Association.  The  Times  of  Blessing  said  of  it : 
Among  all  the  great  gatherings  that  have  been 
addressed  by  Mr.  Moody  since  his  visit  to  Liverpool, 
perhaps  none  was  so  remarkable  as  the  one  held  yes- 
terday afternoon.  Long  before  the  hour  of  meeting 
the  doors  were  besieged  with  an  eager  crowd,  anxious 
to  obtain  admission.  When  the  hall  was  filled,  the 
sight  which  presented  itself  was  one  probably  never 
before  witnessed  at  a  religious  gathering  in  Liverpool, 
and  will  be  long  remembered  by  those  who  were  pres- 
ent. Every  inch  of  sj^ace  in  the  vast  building  was 
occupied ;  and  had  the  hall  been  three  times  as  large, 
those  who  wished  to  be  present  could  not  have  been 
accommodated,  so  great  was  the  demand  for  admis- 
sion. The  audience  was  one  not  to  be  seen  out  of 
Liverpool.  There  were  men  of  very  different  beliefs 
and  nationalities  present — High  Churchmen,  Broad 
Churchmen,  Low  Churchmen,  Orangemen,  Wesleyans, 
Unitarians,  Baptists,  Presbyterians,  Eoman  Catholics, 
Jews,  Greeks,  Spiritualists,  and  others.  All  the  differ- 
ent phases  of  our  commercial  life,  too,  were  represent- 
ed— from  the  merchant  cotton  prince  down  to  the 
marine-store  dealer,  who  deals  in  ^  damaged.'  There 
were  present  town  councillors.  Liberal  and  Tory ; 
leading  members  of  the  Dock  Board  and  the  select 
vestry  5  millionaire  ship  owners,  whose  vessels  are  to 
be  found  on  every  sea;  and  merchants  and  dealers  in. 
every  kind  of  produce — timber  merchants,  sugar  mer- 
chants, tea  merchants,  corn  merchants,  provision  mer- 
chants, and  brokers  who  buy  and  sell  every  conceivable 
article  traded  in  on  the  Liverpool  Exchange.  The 
shopkeeping  class  also  was  well  represented,  and  there 
were  many  ladies  i^resent.  Throughout,  the  great 
assembly  was  most  attentive  and  devout.'' 
Mr.  Moody  delivered  a  characteristic  address,  full  of 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


201 


sound  sense,  and  it  had  the  added  virtue  of  opening 
the  hearts  and  purses  of  the  people.  In  concluding 
his  remarks  he  made  use  of  the  following  language : 

I  am  not  (said  Mr.  Moody)  a  man  of  wealth,  but  I 
will  consider  it  a  privilege  to  be  allowed  to  have  an 
interest  in  this  new  building  for  the  Young  Men^s 
Christian  Association  of  Liverpool.  I  hope  the  busi- 
ness men  will  send  a  cheque  in ;  let  every  one  present 
send  it  right  in  now;  let  them  send  it  in  to-night  be- 
fore dinner.  If  they  do,  their  dinner  will  taste  all  the 
better.  I  have  been  asked  to  lay  the  foundation  stone 
of  the  new  building,  and  I  must  go.  I  hope  you  were 
all  invited,  and  that  you  will  go  also."  After  a  pause, 
Mr.  Moody  said :  Some  one  has  sent  in  a  cheque  for 
£50;  I  wish  it  were  £1,000.  But  don't  let  that  dis- 
courage any  one  from  giving  £1,000." 

The  new  building  was  located  in  Mount  Pleasant,  to 
be  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  £16,000.  The  quarters 
of  the  Association  on  Eenshaw  street  had  become  too 
small,  and  hence  a  removal  was  necessary.  Mr.  Moody 
was  requested  to  lay  the  memorial  stone,  which  he  did 
in  the  following  order :  Mr.  Alexander  Balfour,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Association,  said : 

^'Mr.  Moody,  and  ladies  and  gentlemen,  I  am 
requested  by  the  members  of  the  Liverpool  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  to  present  to  Mr.  Moody 
this  trowel,  with  which  to  lay  the  memorial  stone  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association;  and  it  is 
with  the  greatest  possible  pleasure  that  I  have  now 
to  discharge  that  duty^  and  to  hand  to  him  the  trowel 
with  which  he  is  asked  to  lay  this  memorial  stone." 

Mr.  Moody,  having  received  the  trowel,  carefully 

spread  the  mortar  with  it,  and,  the  stone  having  been 

lowered  into  its  place,  said:  '^I  declare  this  stone  to 

be  well  and  truly  laid."   The  stone  bore  the  inscrip- 

9# 


202 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


tion,  This  memorial  stoue  was  laid  by  B.  L.  Moody, 
of  Chicago,  2d  March,  1875;' 

The  farewell  services  were  held  on  Sunday,  March  7. 
The  audiences  were  large  and  intensely  wrapped  up 
in  the  concluding  services,  which  were  much  of  the 
same  character  as  those  previously  held. 

The  extent  of  the  work  done  in  this  city  will  never 
be  fully  known.  Thousands  of  persons  were  converted, 
and  a  greater  interest  excited  in  all  religious  exer- 
cises. Hundreds  of  young  men  were  converted,  and 
became  the  most  efficient  workers  in  the  place,  and  all 
classes  of  the  people  were  more  largely  interested  in 
working  for  the  success  of  the  cause  of  Christ. 


CHAPTEK  X.  ^ 

LONDON. 

The  contemplated  visit  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey 
to  London,  was  the  occasion  of  a  wonderful  interest  in 
that  metropolis.  People  everywhere  began  to  talk 
about  their  coming,  and  speculate  as  to  what  sort  of 
persons  they  were,  and  whether  they  could  create  as 
much  excitement  in  the  great  city  as  they  had  done  in 
other*  places.  They  were  preceded  by  notices  of  their 
visit,  which,  led  many  to  inquire  about  them  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  show  that  the  usual  quiet  was  disturbed. 
The  Daily  Telegraph  had  an  editorial  on  them,  in  whicli 
they  were  introduced  and  commended  to  the  people  of 
the  city  in  the  following  language: 

"  It  seems  to  us  that  when  Moody  and  Sankey  come 
to  London,  the  dignitaries  and  ministers  of  all  the 
churches  would  do  well  to  go  and  see  what  amazing 
things  real  genius  and  unselfish  ardor  can  accomplish, 
even  in  the  i)resent  age.    They  will  hear,  peo|)le  say, 


THIU  RETURN  TO  ENaLAND. 


203 


some  'pieces'  spoken  about  this  life  and  the  next, 
whichj  delivered  with  a  nasal  twang  or  not,  go  to  the 
souls  of  people  straighter  than  any  sermon  bought  in 
Paternoster  Eow.  They  will  see — if  London  reproduces 
what  Dublin  and  Liverpool  have  witnessed — congrega- 
tions stirred  with  the  'old  story'  told  newly,  as  the 
seas  are  raised  by  storm  winds.  And  notwithstanding 
all  the  easy  talk  about  hysteria,  epidemics,  magnetism, 
nervous  systems,  and  the  like,  the  philosophers  and 
divines  have  yet  to  exi)lain  to  us  why  it  is  a  bad  thing 
for  these  Yankee  itinerants  to  turn  people  by  the  thou- 
sand to  right  and  virtuous  lives,  imd  Cb  good  thing  when 
a  bishop  or  a  cardinal  manages  to  convert  half  a  dozen.'' 

It  was  proposed  to  hold  a  series  of  meetings  at  four 
different  places  in  the  city,  the  first  to  be  held  in  I^^"orth 
London.  For  this  purpose  Agricultural  Hall  was 
secured,  and  when  i)roperly  fitted  up  was  capable  of 
seating  about  15,000  persons,  though  the  entire  hall 
would  hold  over  20,000. 

The  first  services  were  held  on  Tuesday,  March  9. 
A  noon-day  prayer  meeting  was  conducted  by  Lord 
Eadstock  in  Exeter  Hall.  The  meeting  was  well 
attended,  and  the  requests  for  prayer  quite  numerous. 

In  the  evening  Agricultural  Hall  was  thrown  open, 
and  the  Evangelists  made  their  first  appearance  before 
a  London  audience.  Long  before  the  time  for  com- 
mencing services,  scarcely  an  inch  of  standing  ground 
was  left  unoccupied,  and  the  doors  had  to  be  closed  in 
the  faces  of  many  thousands,  the  number  being  esti- 
mated at  10,000. 

The  arrangements  for  the  meeting  were  almost  per- 
fect, and  the  silent  seating  of  such  a  vast  crowd,  was 
declared  to  be  ''  a  masterpiece  of  administrative  care 
and  skill."  The  sight  in  the  hall  was  a  grand  one 5  on 
and  around  the  i^latform  were  hundreds  of  ministers 


204 


MOODY  AND  SANKET.. 


and  laymen;  the  Earl  of  Cavan  and  Lord  Radstock 
occuijying  seats  on  the  platform. 

The  first  words  nttered  by  Mr.  Moody,  that  the  audi- 
ence should  rise  and  sing  to  the  praise  of  God — let  us 
praise  Him  for  what  lie  is  going  to  do  in  London/^ 
struck  the  key  note,  and  reached  the  ear  of  the  people 
at  once.  The  services  were  of  the  usual  order  and 
most  impressive.  Some  little  interruption  was  expe- 
rienced at  first,  but  it  was  overcome  and  the  meetings 
proceeded  pleasantly  and  with  great  profit. 

The  noon  x)rayer  meeting  on  Wednesday  was  the  first 
attended  by  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey,  and  the  hall 
was  crowded  full  to  enjoy  their  services.  The  attend- 
ance of  ministers  w^as  very  large,  and  the  ^neeting 
throughout  was  characterized  by  intense  interest  and 
closest  attention.  A  good  impression  was  evidently 
left.  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  was  highly  appreciated, 
and  had  the  same  effect  as  in  other  places.  Mr.  Moody 
delivered  a  short  address,  at  the  close  of  which  he  read 
extracts  from  a  letter,  the  first  he  had  received  in  Lon- 
don, which  iiroduced  considerable  emotion.  It  was 
written  by  a  parent  who  had  three  children  die  in  ten 
days.  The  last  surviving  child  of  the  three,  a  little 
girl  ten  years  old,  asked  her  mamma  to  take  her  on  her 
lap,  for  she  felt  tired  and  wanted  to  sleep.  While 
there  she  said  she  had  been  longing  for  Mr.  Moody  and 
Mr.  Sankey  to  come  to  London,  to  be  a  Christian.  She 
could  not  wait  any  longer,  for  Jesus  died  for  her,  and 
she  was  happy.  Pray  for  me,  mamma,''  she  said,  and 
make  me  happy;  and  I  want  to  make  Mary  (the  ser- 
vant) and  little  brother  Charley,  Christians."  She  then 
repeated  the  verse, 

"  He  has  called  for  many  a  loved  one, 
"We  have  seen  them  leave  our  side ; 
With  our  Saviour  we  shall  meet  them 
When  we,  too,  have  crossed  the  tide." 

Two  days  afterward  the  little  girl  was  dead. 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENOLAND. 


205 


From  this  time  to  the  close  of  the  meetings  at  Isling- 
ton, these  prayer  meetings  were  of  the  most  absorbing 
interest.  Vast  crowds  were  in  attendance,  and  the  re- 
quests for  prayer  were  numerous  and  varied,  and  were 
classified  into  groups ;  and  put  into  the  briefest  pos- 
sible form.  Some  of  the  incidents  related  at  these 
meetings  were  of  the  most  affecting  character.  A 
young  man  went  to  the  hall  with  one  of  his  companions, 
intending  to  write  the  most  bitter  and  cruel  articles 
against  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey.  In  a  short  time 
Mr.  Sankey's  song  touched  his  heart,  and  the  preaching 
moved  him  still  further,  so  that  when  going  out  he 
said,  ^'  Do  you  think  this  right  hand  dare  write  any- 
thing against  these  two  holy  men  ISTo  !  If  it  writes 
anything  it  will  be  to  bless  them  and  their  work.'' 

One  speaker  recited  quite  a  string  of  cases  of  con- 
version, many  of  them  resulting  through  Mr.  Sankey's 
songs.  Another  speaker  in  the  hall,  told  how  some  of 
his  friends,  when  standing  outside  waiting  for  admis- 
sion, conversed  with  an  old  gentleman  who  said,  I  am 
going  inside,  but  I  do  not  believe  in  any  God,  or  devil, 
in  heaven  or  hell,  or  the  soul.  How  old  do  you  think 
I  am?''  They  thought  he  might  be  70.  ^'1  am  81." 
He  had  not  been  long  listening  to  the  Gospel  before  he 
began  to  weep  like  a  child.  He  said  to  these  friends 
at  the  close,  Are  you  going  home  f  Yes,  we  must 
go,  as  we  live  at  Kingston."  He  said,  I  am  not: 
I  never  heard  anything  like  this,  or  felt  like  this.  I 
must  go  into  the  inquiry  room."  Further  than  that, 
added  the  speaker,  I  know  not,  but  surely  that  was  a 
great  thing  to  praise  God  for. 

The  requests  for  prayer  reached  almost  all  cases  that 
could  be  thought  of— mothers  for  daughters,  sisters 
for  their  brothers,  and  fathers  for  sons.  Mr.  Moody 
I)ut  the  requests  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  them  start- 


206 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


ing  points  for  general  petition,  rather  than  the  subjects 
of  exclusive  and  special  pra^^er.  For  instance,  a  re- 
quest was  made  for  three  drunkards.  '-^  Let  us,"  said 
he  with  much  emotion,  pray  not  only  for  these  three, 
Lut  for  all  drunkards  throughout  the  world." 

A  little  child,  seven  years  old,  sent  word  to  pray  for 
her  mamma,  who  was  ill  in  London  jshe  had  no  papa  5 
he  died  when  she  was  born  \  and  she  hoped  the  meet 
ing  would  pray  for  her  mamma,  and  God  would  make 
her  well.  The  whole  meeting  joined  in  earnest  prayer 
over  this  case,  amid  the  greatest  feeling. 

The  amount  of  good  resulting  from  these  noon  meet- 
ings cannot  be  computed,  but  the  influence  was  gracious, 
and  was  the  means  of  leading  hundreds  to  a  personal 
interest  in  their  Saviour. 

A  system  of  house-to-house  visitation  was  estab- 
lished, with  which  a  vast  amount  of  good  was  done, 
many  persons  beiug  led  by  them  to  attend  the  meetings. 
The  plan  was  to  visit  each  house,  the  city  being  divided 
into  districts,  and  then,  either  personally  address  the 
inmates,  or  leav^e  a  tract  or  one  of  Mr.  Moody's  leaflets 
or  cards,  which  have  been  described  in  a  previous  i)art 
of  this  work. 

In  order  to  do  this  work  properly,  it  required  about 
800  superintendents,  assisted  by  about  16,000  visitors. 
Blessed  results  followed  the  labors  of  those  who  took 
part  in  this  work.  One  lady  who  was  very  timid,  re- 
fused at  first  to  take  any  part  in  the  work,  but,  being 
urged,  she  undertook  it,  aud  returned  from  it  all  radiant 
with  joy,  exclaiming,  '-^  I  have  spent  the  hax)piest  day 
I  ever  spent  in  my  life."  She  had  been  the  means  of 
leading  many  persons  to  the  Saviour.  By  means  of 
this  visitation,  Unitarians,  opposers  of  religion,  and 
infidels,  were  induced  to  attend  the  meetings  in  pro- 
gress.   In  higher  class  houses,  not  in  sympathy  with 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENaLAND. 


207 


the  work,  some  entered  into  spiritual  conversation  and 
requested  a  second  visit. 

A  great  many  anxious  souls  stated  that  for  months 
they  had  been  longing  for  some  one  with  whom  they 
might  speak  about  their  souls^  interests.  It  was  a  joy- 
ous work,  and  effective  as  well^  though  never  carried 
out  to  the  extent  first  intended. 

The  afternoon  Bible  readings  were  carried  on  during 
the  meetings,  and  Avere  very  interesting,  and  attended, 
by  large  audiences.  The  general  interest  in  them 
seemed  to  be  as  great  as  at  any  other  i^lace  where 
they  had  been  used.  The  practical  character  of  the 
readings,  and  the  searching  remarks  on  the  subject 
under  discussion,  had  a  wonderful  effect  on  many  per- 
sons. The  attendance,  out  of  mere  curiosity,  soon 
changed  to  a  deep  interest,  and  the  effect  was  a  marked 
one  on  the  other  exercises. 

The  great  meetings,  however,  were  in  Agricultural 
Hall  during  the  evenings  and  on  Sundays.  Meetings 
for  workers  on  Sunday  mornings  were  a  novel  feature 
to  the  people.  The  first -was  held  on  March  14,  when 
the  people  were  astir  and  wending  their  way  to  the 
hall  as  early  as  half  x^ast  six  in  the  morning,  and  by 
the  time  for  service  it  was  crowded  full  with  an  audi- 
ence of  professing  Christians.  It  was  a  good  begin- 
ning for  the  great  meetings  that  came  after  it  during 
the  day,  when  thousands  upon  thousands  crowded  the 
streets  and  vainly  tried  to  get  into  the  hall. 

But  the  great  meetings  were  those  held  every  night, 
except  Saturday.  They  continued  to  attract  audiences 
averaging  fully  15,000  each,  from  all  classes  of  people. 
Royalty  itself,  in  the  person  of  the  Duchess  of  Teck, 
was  represented ;  and  one  evening  there  were  some 
sixty  clergymen  of  the  established  church  present,  with 
Dean  Stanley  occupying  a  conspicuous  seat  on  the 


208 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


platform.  But  the  common  people  formed  a  large 
part  of  the  audiences,  and  were  highly  blessed.  It  is 
estimated  that  about  250j000,different  persons  attended 
the  services  at  Agricultural  Hall  in  the  five  weeks 
there.  This  was  supplying  the  Gospel  to  the  people 
most  certainly.  The  preaching  of  Mr.  Moody  was  new 
to  the  people,  and  exceedingly  attractive  to  those  in 
the  common  walks  of  life.  Both  he  and  Mr.  Sankey 
showed  to  this  class  that  they  were  their  friends,  and 
that  the  Gospel  they  offered  them  was  the  same  that 
Jesus  of  ]!*^"azareth  offered  centuries  before.  Believing 
this,  the  multitudes  thronged  to  hear  the  "  glad  tid- 
ings," and  thousands  accepted. 

The  after  or  inquiry  meetings  were  crowded  nightly 
by  hundreds  of  anxious  inquirers,  from  among  whom 
were  gathered  some  of  the  most  faithful  Christian 
laborers  of  the  city.  Incidents  of  awakening  and 
conversion  were  frequent. 

One  interesting  case  at  the  Agricultural  Hall  was 
that  of  a  sailor,  age  about  eighteen ;  had  run  away 
from  homCj  knew  not  if  his  x>arents  were  dead  or  liv- 
ing, thought  himself  too  great  a  sinner  to  expect  for- 
giveness, but  1  Tim.  i.  13 — 16,  applied  by  the  Spirit, 
set  him  at  liberty.  This  took  place  in  the  hall  after 
the  inquirers  had  adjourned.  He  was  to  sail  for  Bris- 
bane three  days  after.  Another  case  was  that  of  an 
elderly  woman  of  the  "  hoping  sort."  Putting  the 
Gospel  before  her  as  a  gift  to  be  definitely  accepted 
or  rejected,  possessed  or  not  possessed,  she  was  led 
to  accept  itj  and  found  rest  after  forty  years'  vain 
endeavor. 

Another  case  was  that  of  a  sailor,  age  about  twen- 
ty-two, brought  to  the  hall  by  his  mother.  He  had 
intended  spending  that  evening  at  a  public  house  in 
Ratcliff  Highway,  and  from  thence  to  a  dance.  Im- 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


209 


pressed  witli  the  address,  he  was  taken  to  the  inquiry 
room  by  his  mother,  fully  prepared  to  receive  the 
truth,  which  he  accepted.  Upon  leaving  the  meeting 
he  said,  to  use  his  own  words,  I  feel  as  though  I  had 
had  on  a  heavy  suit  of  clothes  and  heavy  boots,  but 
have  took  them  all  off  and  put  on  light  ones.'' 

At  one  of  the  meetings,  an  old  man  in  the  body  of 
the  hall  said  he  had  been  in  London  fifty  years,  and 
had  seen  all  kinds  of  crowds,  but  none  so  patient  and 
orderly  as  those  that  nightly  attended  the  Agricultu- 
ral Hall.  The  universal  testimony  was,  by  all  who 
expressed  themselves  about  the  meetings,  that  they 
were  not  only  orderly  and  properly  conducted,  but  at- 
tended with  most  remarkable  results.  Some  journals 
went  so  far  as  to  place  the  evangelists  at  the  head  of 
their  class,  and  the  results  of  their  work  ahead  of  that 
of  Wesley  and  Whitefield.  The  Christian  World j  com- 
menting on  this  said:  Yet,  without  going  the  length 
of  our  too  exuberant  friends,  we  can  testify  that  the 
success  of  the  gatherings  over  which  Mr.  Moody  pre- 
sides has  been  simply  marvellous,  and  in  its  way  quite 
unexampled,  either  within  the  memory  of  living  men, 
or  in  all  that  has  been  recorded  by  the  pen  of  the  Eng- 
lish historian  of  the  Christian  Church.  Whatever 
may  be  the  view  he  takes  of  the  work,  as  to  its  true 
spiritual  significance  and  value,  every  candid  on- 
looker must  acknowledge  that  the  present  is  a  phe- 
nomenon which  cannot  be  too  carefully  scanned,  or 
too  fully  described  by  the  contemporary  journalist. 
It  will  unquestionably  claim  for  itself  a  chapter  of  no 
inconsiderable  magnitude  in  the  book  that  deals  with 
the  religious  history  of  England  in  the  last  quarter  of 
the  nineteenth  century.'' 

Other  testimony  equally  as  valuable  as  this,  was 
given  to  the  remarkable  work  which  had  as  yet  only 


210 


310 ODY  AXD  SAXECEY. 


been  commenced  in  London.  All  agreed  that  the 
TTork  Tvas  wonderful,  though  many  hesitated  to  ap- 
prove it  in  all  its  results  and  the  manner  of  conduct- 
ing it.  Among  the  latter  was  the  Times j  which, 
though  not  hostile  to  the  meetings  by  any  means,  was 
conservative  and  cautious  in  its  comments  regarding 
them.  At  the  end  of  the  first  month,  it  had  the  fol- 
lowing to  say : 

Eevivals  are  not  a  novelty,  and  have  not  always 
proved  in  the  end  satisfactory,  and  a  great  part  of  the 
pubhc  are  not  a  little  anxious  to  know  what  is  the  kind 
of  influence  which  has  been  collecting  congregations  of 
many  thousands,  and.  as  is  said,  influencing  for  good 
a  great  i^roporrion  of  them,  in  the  northern  towns.  On 
the  latter  point,  indeed,  the  bahmce  of  favorable  testi- 
mony is  very  considerable  :  and  if  only  it  be  true  that 
Z^Iessrs.  bloody  and  Sankey  have  roused  numbers  of 
people  to  a  more  moral  and  more  elevated  life,  mere 
criticism  of  their  methods  is  somewhat  ungenerous 
and  out  of  place.  But  the  world  is  suspicious  of  reli- 
gious enthusiasm,  reasonably,  perhaps,  with  respect  to 
some  modern  instances  of  it,  but  certainly  unreason- 
ably on  the  whole.  It  is  m?anly  by  great  fermentations 
of  faith  and  zeal  that  the  world  itself  has  been  lifted  to 
its  present  level — a  level,  low  as  it  may  be,  far  higher 
than  that  of  the  past.  Still,  there  are  such  things  as 
spurious  kinds  of  excitement,  and  when  the  London 
clergy  were  inviied  a  little  time  ago  to  meet  Zvlr.  3Ioody 
in  a  conference,  they  were,  not  unnaturally,  rather 
irresponsive.  Mr.  3Ioody  surprised  them  on  that  occa- 
sion by  taking  for  granted  their  sympathy  with  the 
purpose  of  his  mission,  and  discussing  his  plan  of 
operations.  He  is,  at  all  events,  a  man  who  takes  his 
own  line,  and  leaves  you  to  follow  or  not,  just  as  you 
please. 


THE  EETUEN  TO  E^'aLA]^^D. 


211 


"If  there  are  those ^ho  are  rather  inclined,  to  exhort 
Mr.  Moody's  hearers  to  caution  than  to  give  him  en- 
couragement, let  them  ask  themselves  one  or  two  broad 
and  simj)le  questions.  By  all  means  let  them  be  cau- 
tious iu  controlling  and  directing  the  results  of  such  a 
movement,  and  do  their  utmost  to  obviate  that  worst 
of  illusions  that  all  the  work  of  a  new  life  is  done 
when  a  man  is  '  converted.-  But,  in  the  first  place,  is 
any  Christian  Church  in  this  metropolis  in  a  position 
to  say  that  it  can  afford  to  dispense  with  any  vigorous 
effort  to  rouse  the  mass  of  our  people  to  a  more  Chris- 
tian life'?  The  congregations  who  are  to  be  seen  in  our 
churches  and  chapels  are  but  a  fraction  of  the  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  around  them,  of  whom  multitudes 
are  living  a  little  better  than  mere  animal  existence. 
K  any  considerable  prox)ortiou  of  them  can  be  roused 
to  the  mere  desire  of  something  higher,  an  immense 
step  is  gained ;  and  if  the  churches  are  really  a  higher 
influence  still,  Mr.  Moody  will  at  least  have  prei3ared 
them  a  better  material  to  work  upon.'' 

THE  EAST  EXD. 

On  Thursday  the  8th  of  Ai3ril,  meetings  were  com- 
menced at  "  Bow  Eoad  Hall,''  in  the  East  End  of  Lon- 
don. The  meetings  at  Agricultural  Hall  were  also 
kept  up  for  some  weeks,  the  Evangelists  attending  the 
services  there  one  or  two  evenings  a  week.  The  large 
building  used  in  the  East  End  was  erected  for  the  pur- 
pose at  a  cost  of  about  8-0,000,  and  was  capable  of 
seating  over  10,000  persons.  The  first  meeting  held 
was  for  Christian  workers,  at  3  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, and  though  insufficient  notice  had  been  given, 
there  were  about  6,000  present.  Mr.  Moody  had  an- 
nounced the  Christian  workers  would  be  first  ad- 
dressed here,  and  thus  at  once  obtain  their  coopera- 


212 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


tion  and  sympatliy.  The  remainder  of  the  week  was 
devoted  to  this  special  work,  and  some  very  precious 
seasons  were  enjoyed. 

The  first  of  the  Sunday  services  were  well  attended, 
and  of  much  interest.  In  the  afternoon  a  meeting  for 
women  was  held,  which  was  well  attended,  and  a  good 
impression  made.  Several  of  them  i^rofessed  to  have 
found  the  Saviour.  In  the  evening  of  the  same  day 
the  service  was  for  men  alone  and  the  Hall  was  crowd- 
ed full.  The  preaching  was  direct  and  forcible,  and 
was  made  quite  effective  by  the  peculiar  manner 
of  Mr.  Moody^s  bringing  the  audience  to  ^' close 
quarters.'' 

Eev.  J.  Stockwell  Watts  had  the  following  to  say  of 
the  interest  taken,  after  about  two  weeks  had  passed, 
at  the  East  End : 

Thank  God,  there  is  a  manifest  spirit  of  hearing 
poured  out  upon  the  people.  Certainly  the  vast  ma- 
jority of  those  who  attend  these  special  services  are 
persons  accustomed  more  or  less  to  attend  a  place  of 
worship  ;  but  we  have  seen  many  present*  who  never 
cross  the  threshold  of  church  or  chapel,  and  some  who 
have  been  avowedly  hostile  to  religion.  Besides  this, 
we  find  that  the  spirit  of  hearing  is  not  confined  to  the 
Bow  Eoad  Hall.  I  had  some  business  with  a  trades- 
man in  the  neighbourhood.  He  had  been  to  hear 
Moody  and  Sankey  once,  and  meant  to  go  again.  He 
was  evidently  eager  to  hear  all  I  had  to  say  on  the 
great  object  of  their  mission,  urging  the  people  to  ac- 
cept God's  unspeakable  gift,  even  though  there  were 
several  customers  waiting  for  his  attention.  I  could 
tell  of  others  who,  although  they  say  they  have  often 
heard  better  sermons  than  Mr.  Moody  preaches,  are 
now  earnestly  seeking  the  truth.  The  only  way,  I  be- 
lieve, of  accounting  for  this  great  movement  is,  that 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENaLAND. 


213 


God  is  pouring  out  His  Spirit  on  tliis  great  city  in 
showers  of  blessing." 

Sunday  J  April  18th ,  was  regarded  as  the  most  suc- 
cessful day  in  East  London.  About  9,000  Christian 
workers  were  i)resent  in  the  morning.  Said  a  Sunday 
school  teacher  to  a  friend,  I  have  often  been  discour- 
aged by  seeming  to  be  alone  in  my  work,  but  after 
meeting  so  many  thousands  who  are  toiling  for  the 
same  blessed  Master,  I  feel  that  I  can  go  forth  with 
renewed  energy." 

In  the  afternoon  the  large  hall  was  overcrowded  and 
hundreds  were  turned  away.  In  the  evening  the  hall 
was  filled  an  hour  and  a  half  before  services  com- 
menced, and  thousands  were  turned  away,  who  could 
neither  find  room  in  the  hall  nor  in  the  adjacent 
churches,  such  was  the  great  interest  manifested. 

With  all  the  accommodation  afforded,  and  an  ex- 
penditure of  nearly  $100,000  for  buildings  and  other 
outfits,  it  was  impossible  to  give  room  to  the  thou- 
sands who  pressed  to  hear  the  Evaojgelists.  Every 
means  possible  was  employed  to  give  room  for  the 
people,  and  it  is  interesting  to  record  the  account  of  a 

free  tea"  meeting  at  the  East  End.  We  take  from 
the    Times  of  Blessing"  the  following  regarding  it : 

^'  Following  the  example  of  our  brethren  in  Scot- 
land, we  are  making  an  effort  to  reach  the  poorest 
people  in  the  East  End  of  London,  so  that  they,  too, 
may  hear  the  Gospel  preached.  During  the  past  week 
a  large  tent  has  been  erected  close  to  the  IsTew  Hall  at 
Bow,  where  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  are  holding 
their  meetings.  The  tent  is  capable  of  seating  about 
a  thousand  persons,  and  it  was  opened  on  Sunday  after- 
noon, when  about  five  hundred  poor  people  sat  down 
to  tea.  The  meeting  was  a  somewhat  mixed  one. 
Poor  men  and  women,  ragged  children,  men  whose 


214 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


short  hair  showed  they  had  just  come  out  of  prison, 
and  here  and  there  some  more  respectably  dressed. 

Tea  was  served  at  half-past  five.  The  choir  from 
the  'New  Hall  came  over  and  sang  hymns  while  it  was 
being  served^  they  had,  however,  to  leave  before  the 
meeting  commenced.  After  tea  Mr.  Paton,  lionorary 
secretary  of  the  Central  Koon-day  Prayer  Meeting 
Committee,  took  the  chair,  and  the  hymn, 

'  I  heard  the  voice  of  Jesus  say, 
Come  unto  Me  and  rest,' 

was  sung.  After  prayer,  Mr.  Paton  gave  a  short  ad- 
dress. There  were,  he  said,  in  every  meeting  two 
classes  of  i)eople — those  who  loved  God,  and  tliose  w^ho 
did  not  5  and  then  he  urged  those  who  did  not,  to  come 
to  Jesus,  who  was  ever  ready  to  receive  them.  After 
another  hymn  we  had  an  address  by  a  lady,  Mrs. 
Fookes,  and  then  other  two  gentlemen  spoke  for  a  few 
minutes  each. 

"  In  the  evening,  at  8  o'clock,  a  second  meeting  was 
held  5  many  came  vrho  had  been  unable  to  get  admis- 
sion to  Mr.  Moody's  meeting.  The  people  were  very 
attentive;  but  there  was  this  dilierence,  that  while 
those  at  the  tea  were  not  familiar  with  the  hymns, 
those  at  the  second  meeting  knew  them,  and  sang 
them  heartily." 

The  noon-day  prayer  meetings  were  as  interesting 
here  as  at  any  other  places  held.  The  following  ac- 
count, in  one  of  the  papers,  of  a  dog-fighter's  conver- 
sion, illustrates  the  i)ower  that  moved  the  people  : 

A  well  dressed  man  in  the  prime  of  life  was  then 
asked  by  Mr.  Paton  to  step  forward  and  relate  his 
conversion.  He  said  he  had  been  a  desperate  charac- 
ter, not  only  a  dog-fighter,  but  a  cock-fighter.  But 
he  thanked  God  that  his  heart  was  now  changed.  He 
had  been  a  very  determined  man,  and  though  he  had 


THE  EE  TURN  TO  ENGL  AND. 


215 


never  ^  taken  money  out  of  any  one's  pocket,  he  had 
laid  traps  that  made  them  take  it  out.'  It  was  the 
death  of  his  child,  in  March,  that  led  him  to  think 
seriously,  and  some  one  having  mentioned  Moody  and 
Sankey  to  him,  he  replied  that  they  might  be  very 
good  men,  but  he  did  not  think  they  could  make  an 
impression  on  him.  He,  however,  went  to  the  Bow 
#  Eoad  Hall.  He  went  home,  and  said  to  his  wife,  '  I 
think  I  shall  give  my  heart  to  God — I  shall  lead  a 
fresh  life.'  His  wife  could  not  understand  him  at  all. 
He  continued,  ^  I  said,  if  I  give  my  heart  to  God, 
what  shall  I  do  with  the  dogs!'  and  she  said,  ^  We 
will  sell  them.'  I  thought  I  ought  to  begin  to  pray, 
but  I  was  ashamed  to  get  on  my  knees  at  the  bedside. 
Then  I  said,  ^  If  I  am  going  straight  I  must  start  proper 
— I  must  go  in  for  it  or  none.'  As  we  were  going  to 
bed  I  got  on  my  knees,  but  my  wife  jumped  into  bed. 
I  was  determined  to  carry  it  out,  and  was  on  my  knees 
in  the  morning,  and  she  looked  out  of  bed  at  me.  I 
am  sorry  she  has  not  got  a  change  of  heart,  but  she  is 
creeping  that  way.  I  drowned  my  dogs,  and  the  men 
said  they  thought  I  was  going  cranky,  but  every  time 
I  looked  at  the  dogs  it  put  me  in  mind  of  my  old  sport. 
This  is  a  great  anniversary  of  dog-fighters,  and  a  dog  I 
matched  fights  to-day  for  £10.  May  the  Lord  change 
the  hearts  of  those  men.  I  hope  I  shall  never  see  any- 
thing more  of  the  sort.  May  the  Lord  keep  me ;  I 
want  all  your  prayers.'  " 

A  letter  was  read  at  the  same  meeting  relating  the 
conversion  of  a  lady  through  a  servant  girl  eighteen 
years  old.  Eev.  Dr.  Wallace,  of  Glasgow,  spoke  next 
of  a  '^lassie,"  who  with  great  perseverance  had  worked 
her  way  into  the  meetings,  and  was  converted. 

At  one  of  the  inquiry  meetings,  the  Eev.  Mr.  Watts 
writes  he  saw  an  intelligent  looking  man,  whom  he 


216 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


took  to  be  a  Christian  worker,  and  addressed  him  as 
such.  He  replied,  ''Vm  sorry  to  say  I'm  not  a  Chris- 
tian. I  have  just  buried  my  wife,  whom  I  married  un- 
der the  pretence  of  being  a  Christian,  and  it  was  her 
great  grief  all  through  to  find  that  I  was  not.  When 
she  came  to  die,  she  said :  '  Vm  dying,  and  the  object 
of  my  living  is  not  accomplished.'  I  knew  what  she 
meant,  you  know.  '  Wife,'  I  said,  taking  her  hand  in 
mine,  will  meet  you  in  heaven.'  Then  she  said, 
'  'Now  I  can  die  happy,  my  work  is  done.'  These 
wwds  have  been  sounding  in  my  ears  ever  since,  and 
I'm  most  miserable.    Tell  me  how  to  be  a  Christian." 

The  following  article,  from  the  Daily  Review ^  gives 
an  excellent  account  of  the  condition  of  the  work  after 
about  four  weeks  of  the  meetings  at  the  East  End  had 
passed : 

All  who  witness  the  meetings  acknowledge  that  it 
is  a  marvellous  sight  to  see  so  many  thousands  of  per- 
sons gathered  together  day  after  day,  from  noon  till 
nearly  midnight,  for  religious  instruction,  prayer,  and 
13raise.  There  is,  however,  still  something  more  won- 
drous than  the  numbers  and  the  devotion  of  the  great 
congregations,  and  that  is  the  effect  produced  in  the 
human  heart.  Ministers  and  others  are  oftentimes 
heard  discussing  for  the  purpose  of  endeavoring  to  as- 
certain by  what  power  the  results  are  produced. 
Some  of  the  scenes  daily  witnessed  are  extremely  af- 
fecting. When,  at  the  end  of  his  sermon,  Mr.  Moody  in- 
vites all  those  whose  hearts  have  been  touched  to  draw 
for  a  few  moments  nearer  to  the  throne  of  grace,  every 
group  that  accepts  the  invitation  to  special  prayer  has 
its  own  family  history,  and  it  is  not  difficult  for  even  a 
casual  observer  to  read  its  story.  Who  is  there  that 
could  not  divine  the  history  of  the  following  group  ? 
Mr.  Moody  had  been  i)reaching  on  heaven,  and  the 


THE  KETURN  TO  ENaLAND. 


217 


bliss  of  friends  being  again  with  those  that  had  gone 
before.  The  congregation  then  sang, Shall  we  gather 
by  the  river  where  bright  angel  feet  have  trodf  And 
then,  whilst  they  sang  another  hymn,  ^  We  speak  of 
the  realms  of  the  blest/  Mr.  Moody  invited  all  who 
wished  to  pray  to  go  there  to  come  np  to  the  front. 
Among  the  large  nnmbers  in  the  crowd  pressing  for- 
ward were  two  stalwart  men  in  the  prime  of  life,  car- 
rying one  who  was  too  feeble  to  stand,  and  whose  hair 
was  bleached  with  years.  As  they  bore  him  on  their 
arms,  the  tears  trickled  fast  down  the  old  man's  face, 
and  the  strong  men's  too.  An  artist  might  have  made 
a  picture  of  the  scene.  It  would  have  required  no 
written  exx)lanation.  It  told  of  an  aged  mother  gone 
before,  of  an  a^'ed  father  soon  to  follow,  and  the  hope 
among  them  that,  after  passing  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  they  would  all  awake  to  meet  in 
a  joyful  resurrection.  Similar  scenes  could  be  easily 
multiplied,  each  telling  its  own  tale  and  its  own  reli- 
gious awakening,  the  result  of  this  revival  work.  But 
there  are  other  features  of  the  movement,  and  perhaps 
not  the  least  remarkable  is  the  manner  in  which  many 
of  the  ministers  of  various  denominations  are  coming 
round  as  helpers.  Some  at  first  stood  aloof,  watching 
it  with  jealousy.  They  seemed  to  fear  lest  the  revival- 
ists should  withdraw  the  members  from  their  own  con- 
gregations, but  the  I)roceedings  in  the  revival  rooms 
have  dispelled  their  fears ;  and  the  general  testimony 
of  those  ministers  who  have  been  taking  part  in  the 
labor  of  the  revivalists,  and  who  reside  in  the  localities 
that  have  been  under  their  influence,  is,  that  their 
congregations  have  been  greatly  increased." 

The  London  Times  had  occasion  during  the  early 
progress  of  the  meetiDgs  at  Bow  Eoad  Hall,"  to 
speak  in  a  very  slighting  way  of  the  real  good  being 

10 


218 


MOODY  AJND  SANKEY. 


done;  but  on  May  10th,  it  bore  testimony  to  the  efforts 
of  the  Evangelists  as  follows  : 

"  No  one  who  has  witnessed  these  services  can 
doubt  their  powerful  agency  for  good,  not  only  ujdou 
the  ruder  masses  of  society,  but  upon  many  also  who 
have  been  accustomed  to  associate  the  idea  of  ^  revi- 
valism ^  with  mere  fanaticism  and  excitement.  There 
was  certainly  nothing  of  this  kind  in  yesterday's  ser- 
vice. The  devotional  part  of  the  service  was  as  calm 
and  unexciting  as  in  the  soberest  parish  church,  while 
the  sermon  was  not  less  calculated  to  benefit  the  most 
steady  going  Churchman  than  to  arouse  the  attention 
of  those  who  had  hitherto  thought  little  about  religion. 
We  have  no  doubt  that  the  West  End  of  London,  to 
which  Mr.  Moody  is  now  devoting  his  attention,  will 
gain  quite  as  much  from  his  preaching  as  the  Korth.'^ 

The  singing  of  Mr.  Sankey  in  the  East  End  seemed 
to  have  a  most  wonderful  effect.  Many  of  the  people 
were  determined  that  they  would  not  accept  the  offers 
of  salvation  from  these  men ;  and  yet  some  of  them 
were  melted  under  the  singing  of  Mr.  Sankey,  and 
thus  led  to  the  Saviour.  It  is  questionable  whether 
the  Evangelists  had  entered  upon  a  more  difficult  work 
than  that  at  this  place ;  but  they  went  away  from  it 
beloved  and  respected  by  hundreds  of  converts. 


OHAPTEE  XI. 

THE  WEST  END. 

The  meetings  in  the  West  End,  held  in  the  Eoyal 
Opera  House  in  the  Haymarket,  were  much  more  suc- 
cessful than  some  of  the  friends  of  the  Evangelists  had 
anticipated.  In  the  East  End  they  had  labored  mainly 


THE  RETURN  TO  EKaLAND. 


219 


with  a  class  of  persons  found  among  those  in  humble 
and  low  life  ;  but  in  the  West  End  they  had  to  labor 
among  those  who  were  of  the  higher  circles  of  life — the 
wealthy,  nobility  and  other  j)ersons  of  rank. 

There  was  no  apparent  difference  in  their  efforts  to 
convert  the  people.  Meetings  were  commenced  in  the 
Opera  House  in  the  early  part  of  April,  while  yet 
those  in  the  East  End  were  in  progress  ;  and  for  some 
time  they  divided  their  attention  between  the  two 
places,  thus  having  a  personal  supervision  over  the 
work  in  both  places.  From  three  to  four  meetings 
were  held  each  day,  much  the  same  as  at  other  places. 
The  noon-day  prayer  meeting  was  a  prominent  feature 
of  the  services,  and  was  often  the  scene  of  the  most 
wonderful  displays  of  the  power  of  God.  The  Bible 
reading  in  the  afternoon  was  kept  up,  and  two  meet- 
ings at  night — one  at  half-past  seven,  and  another  at 
nine  o'clock  for  men  only. 

On  Monday  the  12th  of  April  the  first  noon-day 
meeting  was  held.  A  great  many  interesting  inci- 
dents were  given  of  the  progress  of  the  work  at  dif- 
ferent places,  and  of  its  stability,  showing  that  the 
work  was  of  a  permanent  character.  The  address  of 
Mr.  Moody  was  on  "  Praise,"  which  was  listened  to 
with  marked  j)leasure  by  the  audience.  Mr.  Sankey's 
singing  took  hold  of  the  affections  of  the  people  here, 
just  as  readily  as  it  had  done  at  other  places^  and  pro- 
duced an  excellent  impression. 

The  Evangelists  had  determined  to  do  an  effective 
work  in  this  part  of  .London,  and  they  laid  consider- 
able stress  on  the  noon  meetings  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  their  purpose.  On  Monday  the  19th,  a  large 
noon  service  was  held,  one  of  the  most  effective,  per- 
haps, of  all  the  series  up  to  that  time.  The  attendance 
was  large  and  the  stage  filled  with  ministers.  The 


220 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


testimony  given  as  to  tlie  wonderful  results  of  the 
meetings  in  Loudon  and  elsewhere,  was  of  an  encour- 
aging nature.  Hundreds  of  requests  for  prayer  were 
read;  places  were  spoken  of  where  as  high  as  200 
each  night  were  inquiring  after  peace  5  striking  cases 
of  conversions  were  related,  and  among  others,  that 
of  a  lady  who  had  been  seeking  Christ  for  many  years, 
but  was  led  at  last  to  saving  faith  by  hearing  Mr. 
Sankey  sing,     What  shall  the  harvest  bef' 

One  gentleman  related  a  very  interesting  case  of  a 
young  man,  who  was  struck  by  hearing  Mr.  Moody 
read  the  text,  God  so  loved  the  world,  etc."  He  was 
converted,  went  home,  and  told  his  mother  about  it, 
which,  so  impressed  her  that  she  was  converted  the 
same  night. 

So  the  meetings  continued  to  increase  in  power  and 
effectiveness,  until  the  West  End  was  ablaze. 

The  meetings  in  May  were  particularly  interesting. 
On  the  13th  of  that  month  stirring  services  were  held. 
In  the  afternoon  the  Bible  reading  was  a  glorious  sight. 
Kot  an  inch  of  room  was  unoccupied,  the  people  press- 
ing forward  eagerly  to  hear  the  Word.  The  result  of 
it  was  a  crowded  after  meeting  and  a  large  number  of 
inquirers. 

The  next  day  was  a  wonderful  day.  The  noon  ser- 
vices were  thrillingl^^  interesting,  and  were  indicative 
of  an  increase  of  desire  to  hear  the  Word.  As  showing 
the  anxiety  of  the  people  for  prayer  on  the  part  of  the 
Christians,  the  following  quotation  from  the  Christian 
is  given : 

"  One  most  edifying  part  of  this  meeting  is  the  read- 
ing of  the  requests  for  prayer  and  praise,  and  the  re- 
marks thereon  with  so  much  feeling  and  unction  by 
W.  Graham,  Esq.,  M.  P.  These  requests  are  so  numer- 
ous that  Mr.  Graham  is  compelled  to  gxoup  them  in 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


221 


this  way  to-day :  18  Christians  ask  prayer  for  them- 
selves }  198  parents  ask  prayer  for  their  children ;  29 
children  for  their  parents ;  12  wives  for  husbands ; 
50  brothers  for  sisters ;  63  relations  and  friends  for  the 
same ;  6  for  drunkards ;  7  for  sceptics }  11  for  back- 
sliders ;  8  for  families ;  7  for  servants ;  for  one  very 
ill,  and  deeply  anxious 5  22  for  God's  work;  5  for 
parishes ;  10  for  anxious  ones." 

Mr.  J.  S.  Knight  writes  the  following  regarding  the 
meetings  after  noon  of  the  next  day  : 

"  At  the  three  o'clock  meeting,  the  crowd  was  ex- 
cessively great.  The  Eoyal  Box  was  full.  We  will 
not  mention  names,  except  to  say  that  the  presence  of 
the  Duchess  of  Sutherland  so  constantly  is  remarkable, 
and  on  one  occasion,  when  we  missed  her  earnest  face, 
the  meeting  kept  looking  for  her  coming. 

Mr.  Sankey  sang  the  26th  Hymn,  '  There's  a  light 
in  the  valley,'  and  again,  before  the  sermon,  he  sang 
'JTothing  but  leaves.'  That  the  Spirit  uses  these 
hymns  is  most  evident. 

"  Mr.  Moody  said :  '  I  will  not  preach  a  sermon  to-day ; 
I  want  to  tell  how  we  may  be  saved and  gave  his 
address  from  the  words,  What  must  I  do  to  be 
saved?"  and  he  repeated  the  same  discourse  at  the 
evening  meeting.  In  the  course  of  his  address,  Mr. 
Moody  said:  ''A  lady  came  to  me  yesterday,  at  noon, 
and  said,  ^  I  won't  come  to  any  more  of  your  meet- 
ings 5  you  make  me  feel  wretched.'  '  1  am  glad  of 
that,'  I  replied.  ^  Well,  I  won't  come,'  she  added  ; 
but  in  the  afternoon,  there  she  was  again ;  and  I 
hope  she  is  here  now,  and  will  keep  on  getting  more 
and  more  miserable,  till  she  lets  Christ  turn  her  feet 
the  right  way." 

While  repeating  his  address  at  night,  the  gasman 
had  turned  on  more  gas.    ^^Oh,  there  is  more  light!" 


222 


3I00DY  AXD  SA^^KEY. 


lie  suddenly  broke  out ;  more  light —that's  what  we 
want!''  and  added,  that  a  reporter  asked  a  minister 
once  for  the  notes  of  his  sermon.  '-Here  it  is,"  said 
the  preacher;  ^-make  all  you  can  of  it."  And  in  the 
paper  was  found  only  the  words,  Z\Iore  light,  more 
light Oh,  God,  send  more  light  to  this  audience  I'' 
he  cried  aloud  ;  and  the  efiect  was  thrilling  and 
solemn. 

"  There  were  thousands,  it  was  said,  waiting  outside 
and  could  not  get  in,  and  Mr.  Moody  said,  I  see 
some  faces  here  who  were  here  in  the  afternoon  5  will 
they  get  u])  and  leave  at  once,  to  make  room  for  some 
who  cannot  get  in  At  this  several  went  out.  Both 
afternoon  and  night  meetings  the  press  of  the  crowd 
was  very  great.  At  the  end  of  the  meetings  the  con- 
gregations sang,  1  am  trusting,  Lord,  in  Thee."'  Z\Ir. 
Moody  said.  Mr.  Sankey.  can't  we  alter  that,  and 
change  the  chorus  from  ■  I  will  ti^ist  Him*  to  '  I  do 
trust  ffim.'  and  make  it  a  present  act :  and  let  us  all 
say  it  a  dozen  times  :"  and  the  words  were  varied 
several  times,  and  sung  as  many  times,  once  to  "  I 
noiv  trust  Him,"  and  at  last,  all  who  wanted  a  present 
salvation,  and  would  noic  venture  on  Christ,  were 
asked  to  sing  it.  He  has  saved  me — He  has  saved 
me  just  now."  TTould  to  God."  said  Mr.  Moody,  "  that 
all  London  would  take  up  this  chorus :  why  not  shout 
it  all  through  the  streets  of  the  city  ?  Let  us  go  on,  and 
sing  it  again  and  again  ?''  While  this  was  being  re- 
peated we  observed  an  intelligent  looking  man,  of  gray 
hairs,  in  the  front,  who  began  the  altered  chorus,  and 
stopped,  putting  his  finger  on  his  lips,  and  trembling, 
bending  his  head  in  visi  ble  agony  of  spirit.  The  meet- 
ings increase  both  in  volume  and  soleDinity." 

But,  from  this  time  on.  the  proceedings  of  one  day 
were  but  the  repetition  of  another,  except  in  the  in- 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


223 


tensity  of  interest  day  by  day.  London  was  stirred  to 
its  very  depths,  there  being  two  large  meetings  going 
on,  at  each  of  which  there  were  the  most  marked 
evidences  of  the  presence  of  more  than  mortal  power. 
At  the  several  meetings,  from  time  to  time,  very  affect- 
ing incidents  were  related  of  the  work  done  among  the 
people,  especially  among  the  humbler  classes. 

Eev.  J.  H.  Wilson,  of  Edinburgh,  read  a  letter  em- 
bodying the  following  incident,  as  an  illustration  of 
answered  prayer :  A  young  girl  in  Edinburgh  went 
in  search  of  a  situation,  and,  while  on  her  way  she 
observed  a  girl  who  was  in  charge  of  some  children, 
and  who  looked  very  sad.  Being  unsuccessful  in  her 
mission,  she  returned,  and  again  met  the  young  woman. 
Seeing  her  countenance  still  troubled,  she  went  up  to 
her,  and  said,  Are  you  a  Christian  Who  bade 
you  ask  that  "  The  Lord  bade  me.''  The  Lord 
she  wonderingly  repeated ;  I  have  been  praying  that 
if  there  is  a  God  in  heaven,  He  would  send  some  one 
to  speak  to  me  about  my  soul.''  She  then  went  on 
to  tell  how  she  had  come  with  her  mistress  and 
family  on  a  visit  from  Aberdeen,  and  how  she  had 
heard  Dr.  Bonar  preach  from  the  text,  The  harvest 
is  past,  the  summer  is  ended,  and  we  are  not  saved," 
which  had  troubled  her  very  much.  Maggie — the  girl 
who  spoke  to  her — tried  to  show  her  the  way  of  sal- 
vation, but  her  efforts  did  not  appear  to  be  success- 
ful. At  last  she  said,  I  must  x>art  from  you,  but 
I  will  just  leave  Jesus'  bare  word  with  you — ^Him 
that  Cometh  unto  Me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.'*' 
Two  d^iys  after,  the  girl  found  her  way  to  Maggie's 
home,  and  said,  I  have  come  to  tell  you  that  I  have 
found  Jesus;"  and  there  they  rejoiced  together.  A 
week  or  two  after  she  brought  her  sister,  and  wanted 
Maggie  to  speak  to  her.  The  three  had  a  little  prayer 


224 


MOODY  AND  SAJ^KEY. 


meetings  and  the  sister,  too,  went  home  rejoicing  and 
at  peace  with  God. 

Dr.  Wallace,  of  Glasgow,  followed  with  some  exceed- 
ingly touching  incidents  of  the  good  AYork  among 
domestic  servants,  of  which  the  following  is  one:  ''I 
was  greatly  struck,  since  I  came  to  London,  to  find 
that  a  servant  girl  had  come  np  here  from  Melrose 
(Berwickshire).  She  had  not  been  able  to  go  to  hear 
Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  when  they  were  in  that 
neighborhood,  and  having  a  sister  in  London,  she  came 
up  to  attend  the  great  meetings  in  the  Agricultural 
Hall.  The  first  thing  she  did,  after  spending  the  night 
with  her  sister,  was  to  try  and  find  her  way  to  the  hail 
— a  Scottish  lassie — saying  as  she  went  along,  will 
find  my  way;  God  will  direct  me.^  She  did  get  there, 
bnt,  unhappily,  she  found  hundreds  leaving.  With 
Scottish  perseverance  she  pressed  forward  (like  the 
woman  who  elbowed  her  w^ay  through  the  crowd  in 
Jerusalem,  saying  ^If  I  might  but  touch  the  hem  of 
his  garment');  and  as  she  was  repulsed  at  one  door 
she  tried  another.  At  last  she  got  to  one  door,  and 
there  she  pleaded  with  the  attendants,  saying  in  her 
Scottish  dialect — would  God  the  same  feeling  ruled 
all  our  minds! — ^Eh,  sir,  but  I'm  awfu'  keen  to  get  the 
blessin';  wull  ye  lat  me  inf  The  door  was  ajar,  and 
her  words  fell  on  the  ears  of  an  old  Scotchman,  who 
reached  out  his  hand  and  said,  ^  1  hear  from  your  Scot- 
tish tongue  that  you  are  a  Scottish  lassie;  we  will 
need  to  try  and  get  you  in.'  It  was  the  venerable  Dr. 
Moifat,  of  Africa.  And  there  and  then  she  gave  her 
heart  to  Christ.  She  was  the  means  of  bringing  her 
sister  to  Christ,  and  has  gone  back  to  Melrose,  a  lady 
tells  me,  and  is  doing  all  she  can  in  that  neighborhood 
to  bring  in  servants  too." 

On  Sunday,  May  30,  the  closing  services  were  held, 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


225 


at  all  of  which  immense  audiences  were  in  attendance. 
One  writer,  in  describing  the  power  of  the  afternoon, 
meeting,  used  this  language : 

^^The  afternoon  meeting  of  women  was  in  many 
respects  a  wonderful  and  memorable  occasion.  The 
sight  from  the  back  of  the  platform  was  altogether 
indescribable.  Ever}"  possible  and  some  seemingly 
impossible  positions  were  filled  with  women  of  all 
grades  of  society,  from  the  humble  domestic  servant 
to  the  lady  of  rank  and  fashion.  Mr.  Moody  seemed 
to  feel  the  import  of  the  occasion,  and  if  possible  he 
was  more  earnest  and  tender  in  his  tones  than  usual. 
His  address  on  the  conversion  of  the  dying  thief  was 
singularly  appropriate,  and  was  delivered  with  all  the 
energy  and  fire  of  his  being.  From  this  wonderful 
story  of  conversion  he  brought  forth  the  treasures  of 
divine  grace  to  lost  sinners,  and  pressed  home  the  les- 
sons of  conviction,  confession,  saving  faith,  and  full 
salvation  for  the  chief  of  sinners.  The  effect  of  his 
urgent  appeals  was  never  more  evident  than  at  the 
close  of  this  address.  When  he  asked  all  who  wished 
to  be  prayed  for  to  rise,  from  i^latform^  area,  boxes, 
and  galleries,  there  arose  a  great  army  of  anxious  souls, 
most  gladdening  to  behold.  The  inquiry  rooms  were 
crowded  with  tearful  seekers  after  salvation,  and  many 
were  conversed  with  in  the  great  building.  Surely 
there  must  have  been  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels 
of  God  over  many  souls  returning  to  their  heavenly 
Father  on  this  bright  Sunday  afternoon." 

The  same  remarks  might  be  used  with  regard  to  the 
night  meeting  for  men,  which  was  in  every  sense  a 
most  impressive  occasion.  The  singing  of  itself  was 
enough  to  give  the  whole  services  the  title  of  wonder- 
ful. The  rendition  of  The  Kinety  and  Mne,''  and 
"Hold  the  Fort"  was  thrilling  in  the  extreme,  and  all 

10* 


226 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


accounts  agree  that  tlie  vast  audiences  were  swayed  at 
the  singer's  will,  and  hundreds  of  obdurate  hearts  were 
melted  to  repentance  and  acceptance  of  the  Saviour. 
No  description  is  adequate  to  convey  the  remotest  idea 
of  the  great  power,  peculiar  impressiveness,  and  over- 
whelming effect,  of  the  few  weeks'  meetings  in  the 
Opera  House.  Hundreds  were  saved  and  an  impression 
left  that  betokened  good  in  the  future  of  the  people. 

SOUTH  LONDON. 

On  Thursday  the  10th  of  June,  meetings  were  com- 
menced in  Camberwell  Hall,  South  London.  The  build- 
ing was  capable  of  seating  from  8,000  to  10,000  i)ersons, 
Though  similar  in  appearance  to  Bow  Eoad  Hall  in  its 
general  structure  and  internal  appearance,  it  was 
much  more  complete  in  its  arrangements.  At  the 
opening  service  the  new  hall  was  filled  to  overflowing 
long  before  the  hour  for  meeting  at  3:30  o'clock,  P.  M., 
and  thousands  were  obliged  to  leave,  though  it  was  a 
Christian  audience. 

For  the  opening  Mr.  Sankey  sang  Nothing  but 
leaves,"  and  was  appropriately  followed  by  Mr.  Moody 
in  reading  the  parable  of  the  ten  talents,  and  his  ad- 
dress. After  some  excellent,  soul-inspiring  singing, 
in  which  Mr.  Sankey  seemed  to  excel  himself,  Mr. 
Spurgeon  addressed  the  meeting,  which  was  such  a 
cheerful,  hearty  welcome  to  the  Evangelists,  that 
portions  of  it  are  herewith  given,  as  showing  the  feel^ 
ing  then  existing.  Mr.  Spurgeon  said:  ''I  cannot  but 
feel  happy,  standing  here  in  such  a  company  of  God's 
believing  people  gathered  from  all  churches,  and  repre- 
senting,  I  believe,  every  section  of  the  great  body  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  I  could  hardly  have  believed  that 
such  a  company  would  ever  come  together  at  all;  and 
I  do  not  see  how  they  could  have  been  brought  to- 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENaLAlSTD.  227 

gether,  except,  in  tlie  providence  of  God,  our  two 
friends  had  come  across  the  sea.  When  I  was  a  boy  I 
used  to  like  sugar-candy,  and  used  to  wonder  how  the 
strings  got  inside,  although  I  knew  afterwards  they  were 
stretched  across  in  order  that  the  sugar  might  crystal- 
lize upon  them.  My  brethren  are  strings  upon  which 
I  hope  every  one  will  crystallize — at  least  all  those 
who  have  got  the  slightest  bit  of  sugar  in  thera.  Those 
who  have  not,  I  suppose,  must  crystallize  somewhere 
else. 

^'  It  is  all  the  better  that  our  friends  are  foreigners— 
although  I  do  not  know  that  Americans  can  be  called 
foreigners — because,  coming  from  abroad  we  do  not 
criticise  them  so  much  as  we  do  our  ow^n  brethren. 
My  friend  Varley  is  a  great  man,  but  he  is  greatest  in 
America;  and  I  suspect  our  friends  Messrs.  Moody  and 
Sankey  are  greater  here  than  if  they  were  at  home. 
They  are  going  away  soon,  and  perhaps  it  is  fortunate; 
for  if  they  were  to  stay  here  some  of  our  ministers 
would  be  afraid  they  would  take  their  congregations 
avjay,  and  they  would  not  rally  round  our  brethren  as 
they  do.  i^Tow,  however,  we  welcome  them,  and  I  hope 
every  congregation  will  be  richer  for  the  special  ser- 
vices to  be  held  here. 

^'I  thank  God  that  our  dear  brethren  do  not  commit 
themselves  to  any  particular  line  of  thought  except 
the  Gospel,  and  take  no  concern  in  various  matters 
which  are  in  dispute  with  different  sections  of  Chris- 
tians. ,1  hold  that  every  man  should  teach  the  entire 
truth  as  he  believes  it,  and  if  he  be  a  settled  pastor  he 
must  not  keep  back  any  part  of  it;  but  evangelists  are 
to  show  forth  only  the  great  cardinal  truths  of  the 
Gospel,  and  this  our  friends  do.  Without  compromising 
ourselves  at  all,  we  have  no  difficulty  in  believing  the 
Gospel  our  friends  preach,  and  therefore  we  of  South 


228 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


London  feel  we  can  work  with  them.  I  do  not  know 
how  all  my  brethren  feel;  but  I  hope  they  all  feel  heart- 
ily in  union  with  our  friends.  If  they  don't^  I  do,  and 
there  are  plenty  more  behind  me  who  can  say  we  do 
also.  And  by  the  grace  of  Grod  we  do  mean  to  unite 
with  our  dear  brethren  in  making  these  meetings  a  great 
success.  I  ask  you  to  tell  me  whether  you  do  mean 
to  do  this  or  not,  to  back  up  these  friends  with  all  your 
hearts  and  souls.  If  you  do,  I  ask  you  to  say  ^yes' 
(Mr.  Spurgeon^s  question  elicited  a  very  general  shout 
of  ^'yes^').  Well,  then^  the  proper  way  is  to  come 
and  help  them  with  all  our  might,  and  believe  that  God 
will  help  Hs,  because  He  will  be  glad  to  see  such  unity 
among  his  people,  and  the  heartiness  with  which  we 
gather  round  the  cross." 

The  noon-day  prayer  meeting  was  held  in  Victoria 
Theatre,  being  more  suitable  for  that  purpose  than  the 
great  hall.  These  prayer  services  were  of  great  profit, 
and  were  well  attended.  The  young  men's  meetings 
were  well  sustained,  and  were  productive  of  blessed 
results.  The  inquiry  meetings  were  among  the  most 
interesting  of  any  held,  and  were  the  scenes  of  many 
manifestations  of  the  power  of  God.  The  house-to- 
house  visitations  were  on  an  extensive  scale,  and  did  a 
great  deal  of  good  in  calling  the  attention  of  thousands 
to  the  gracious  work  going  on  in  the  several  places  of 
meeting.  The  Bible  readings  were  attended  by  large 
and  growing  audiences,  especially  by  young  men. 

The  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  having  expressed 
some  disapproval  of  the  methods  of  holding  the  after 
meetings,  the  following  response  was  brought  out, 
which  is  taken  from  the  Times  of  Blessing,'^  from  the 
Eev.  C.  S.  Astley,  Brasted  Eectory,  Sevenoaks,  Kent: 
My  Lord  Archbishop — As  a  parochial  clergyman  of 
your  Grace's  diocese,  who  has  given  liis  sanction  to  the 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


229 


services  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  not  only  by  his 
presence  at  the  general  meetings,  but  also  by  assisting 
in  the  ^inquiry  room/  I  trust  I  may  not  be  deemed 
presumptuous  if  I  venture  in  one  or  two  particulars  to 
take  exception  to  your  Grace's  letter.  It  is  to  be  re- 
gretted that  your  Grace  did  not  ascertain  exactly  the 
nature  of  the  ^  after  meetings '  before  you  described 
them  as  being  intended  for  '  the  confession  of  sin  and 
the  guidance  of  the  conscience.'  My  Lord^  you  have 
been  misinformed.  The  ^  after  meetings '  are  not  in- 
tended for  ^  confession  of  sin.'  Between  the  mode  of 
dealing  with  anxious  inquirers  at  these  after  meetings 
and  the  High  Church  Confessional,  the  difference  is  as 
great  as  between  the  Kew  Testament  and  the  Triden- 
tine  Decrees — between  Protestantism  and  Popery.  At 
Mr.  Moody's  after  meetings  none  are  urged  or  invited 
to  confess.  I  doubt  even  whether,  if  some  anxious 
soul  were  to  begin  to  do  so,  he  would  not  be  imme- 
diately stopped.  The  object  of  these  meetings  is  to 
deepen  the  impression  made  by  the  public  preaching ; 
to  meet  difficulties;  to  answer  doubts 5  and  to  lead 
with  loving  sympathy  to  the  Saviour." 

On  Monday,  the  12th  of  Jul^^,  farewell  services  were 
held  at  Mildmay  Conference  Hall,  at  which  there 
were  over  700  ministers  i^resent,  which  is  proof  enough 
of  the  unsectarian  character  of  the  meetings,  and  the 
universal  esteem  in  which  the  Evangelists  Avere  held 
by  all  sections  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  England. 
Several  addresses  were  made,  all  containing  descrip- 
tions of  the  work  done  in  the  several  meetings. 

Extracts  from  some  of  the  addresses  are  given,  taken 
from  the  Christian 

Eev.  Eobert  Taylor,  of  Norwood^  gave  some  intensely 
interesting  facts  respecting  what  had  transpiibd  in  the 
inquiry  room  at  Camberwell-green  Hall.  Oae  evening 


230 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


he  gave  up  his  seat  in  the  hall  to  a  distinguished  liter- 
ary man,  who  lately  wrote  that  that  there  was  a 
Power  above  us  that,  at  least,  we  know  to  be  working 
for  righteousness.''  One  evening,  in  the  inquiry-room, 
he  met  a  young  woman,  and  asked  if  she  was  anxious. 
Yes,  to  know  if  there  was  a  God.  Did  she  not  believe 
it?  Well,  the  sum  of  her  belief  was  that  there  was 
something  above  us."  He  could  tell  of  a  wife,  deserted 
by  her  husband,  who  had  been  in  snch  utter  misery 
and  agony  that  she  had  twice  contemplated  going  to 
London-bridge  to  commit  suicide.  In  that  inquiry- 
room  she  was  brought  to  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  and 
peace  with  God  through  the  preaching  and  singing. 
Afterwards  she  prayed  so  beautifully  for  her  husband 
that  the  lady  who  conversed  with  her  was  deeply 
touched  as  she  listened.  She  did  not  pray  that  he 
might  be  restored  to  her — now  she  did  not  care  so  much 
about  that — but  that  God  would  bring  him  to  Himself^ 
and  that  they  might  be  re-united  in  heaven.  He  could 
tell  of  a  man  who  for  twenty  minutes  hid  his  face  from 
the  lady  who  spoke  to  him,  so  deep  was  his  distress 
and  shame.  He  afterwards  told  her  how  he  was  stand- 
ing at  St.  Giles's,  and  tossed  up  whether  he  should  go' 
to  the  theatre  or  the  meeting.  It  was,  Heads  the 
theatre  5  tails  Moody  and  Sankey."  It  was  tails.  He 
went  to  the  meeting,  was  led  to  go  into  the  inquiry- 
room,  and,  as  he  described  it  in  a  letter  to  the  lady  who 
was  the  means  of  bringing  him  into  the  light,  She 
fought  manfully  with  him  for  the  Lord  Jesus,"  and  he 
went  home  a  rejoicing  believer. 

Eev.  Marcus  Eainsford  said  he  felt  we  were  living  in 
days  which  many  had  looked  and  longed  for,  but  had 
not  seen.  He  thought  that  God  had  been  working  much 
more  with  the  masses  than  the  ministers.  For  his  own 
part,  he  had  learnt  much  since  Messrs.  Moody  and 


THE  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


231 


Sankey  came  to  London.  Many  prejudices  had  been 
broken  down,  many  difficulties  removed,  and  many  a 
lesson  learnt  that  he  would  never  forget.  He  was  talk- 
ing to  a  costermonger  one  evening,  and  trying  to  show 
him  the  great  salvation,  when  a  bright-looking  young 
fellow  came  up  and  quietly  put  him  aside,  saying, '  Sir, 
I  found  Christ  last  week;  I  think  lean  talk  to  this  man 
better  than  you."  Well,  let  us  hear  what  you  have 
to  say.''  I  never  heard  such  lingo,  said  Mr.  Eainsford. 
"  Now^Joe,  s'pose  it  was  all  up  wi'  yer ;  mother  star- 
ving, wife  starvin',  children  starvin',  and  the  mackerel 
nowhere.  S'pose  I  see  yer  lookin'  very  i)ale  and  sad, 
and  miserable ;  and,  says  I,  '  Joe,  here's  a  fat  half  for 
yer.  I  give  it  yer  with  all  my  heart;  be  off  and  do 
your  work.'  Away  you  go  to  Billingsgate  and  spend 
the  fat  half."  (It  means  half  a  sovereign,  and  a  six- 
pence means  a  thin  half.")  Tou  get  the  mack- 
erel, and  bring  it  home  ;  you  get  the  money,  and  you 
bring  home  some  bread  ;  yes,  there  it  be  at  home ;  now 
what  would  you  say  f  I  would  say,  ^  Thank  you  ; 
God  bless  you.'"  Well,  say  that  to  Christ,  for  He 
didn't  give  you  the  fat  half,  but  the  whole."  And  that 
was  the  Gospel  as  ably  and  spiritually  preached,  and  as 
blessedly  preached,  as  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
could  i^reach  it. 

The  Earl  of  Shaftesbury  said,  nothing  but  the  posi- 
tive command  of  Mr.  Moody  would  have  induced  him 
to  come  forward  on  the  present  occasion  and  say  but  a 
very  few  words  in  the  presence  of  so  many  ministers  of 
the  Gospel.  But  as  Mr.  Moody  had  asked  him  to  speak 
of  what  had  occurred  during  the  past  four  months,  he 
did  so  with  the  deepest  sense  of  gratitude  to  Almighty 
God  that  He  had  raised  up  a  man  with  such  a  message 
and  to  be  delivered  in  such  a  manner.  And  though 
Mr.  Moody  said  they  wei«e  not  to  praise  him  or  his 


232 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


friend  Mr.  Sankey,  jet  if  they  praised  God  for  sending 
them  such  men  as  these,  they  did  no  more  than  express 
their  admiration  of  the  instruments  that  He  had  raised 
up  while  they  gave  Him  all  the  glory. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  addresses  the  meeting  was 
formally  concluded  and  dismissed,  and  Mr.  Moody  and 
Mr.  Sankey  hastily  retired,  in  order  to  escape  the  pain- 
ful ordeal  of  bidding  so  many  of  their  friends  a  formal 
good  by. 

ETON.  ■ 

One  of  the  most  exciting  scenes  during  the  meetings 
in  London,  was  the  attempt  to  hold  a  meeting  near 
the  High  Church  College  ^t  Eton.  The  proposal  to 
hold  a  meeting  there  was  made  at  the  instance  of  Mr. 
Graham,  a  distinguished  merchant  of  Glasgow,  and 
once  M.  P.  from  that  city.  Haviug  a  son  at  Eton,  he 
received  a  spontaneous  request  from  boys  occupying 
very  prominent  positions  in  the  school,  that  Mr. 
Moody  should  give  an  address  which  they  might 
attend. 

Accordingly  arrangements  were  made  to  hold  a 
service  in  a  field  adjoining  the  college,  but  not  belong- 
ing to  it,  on  June  22. 

This  created  a  great  excitement  and  the  matter  was 
carried  into  Parliament,  where  it  was  gravely  dis- 
cussed in  all  its  various  phases.  In  consequence  of  a 
hasty  summons  of  the  governing  body  of  the  college 
to  forbid  the  proposed  service,  the  Evangelists  at  once 
decided  to  conduct  it  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 
The  Mayor  of  Windsor  offered  them  the  Town  Hall, 
but  the  Inspector  of  Police  pronounced  it  to  be  dan- 
gerously small  for  the  purpose.  A  gentleman  in 
Windsor,  Mr.  Colley,  then  offered  the  use  of  his 
garden,  off*  the  High  street,  where  a  very  successful 
service  was  held,  attended  by  about  2,000  persons,  in- 


THE  EETUBN  TO  ENG-LAND. 


233 


eluding  some  of  tlie  assistant  masters^  and  many  of 
tlie  Eton  boys,  and  also  by  several  members  of  the 
nobility  and  gentry  of  the  neighborhood. 

Dr.  Hornby,  the  head  master,  said  in  his  first  letter, 
which  was  read  to  the  House  of  Lords : 

"  Considering  the  liberty  which  Eton  boys  enjoy, 
and  the  kind  of  entertainments  whicli  are-  open  to 
them  from  time  to  time  in  this  neighborhood,  I  feel 
that  it  would  be  inconsistent,  not  to  say  hypocritical, 
to  profess  alarm  and  to  curtail  their  liberty  in  unusual 
ways  because  the  American  preachers,  Avho  have  been 
heard  so  long  and  by  so  many  in  London,  propose  to 
preach  on  one  afternoon  in  the  neighborhood  of  Eton.^^ 

Mr.  Moody  preached  from  the  words,  ^^Sehold  I 
bring  you  glad  tidings  ot  great  joy  which  shall  be  to 
all  2)eople.'''  It  was  an  earnest  address,  in  which  he 
expressed  the  fervent  hope  that,  As  many  of  his 
hearers  might  come  to  occupy  high  positions  in  the 
State,  they  should  do  their  utmost,  by  an  early  deci- 
sion for  Christ,  and  the  early  cultivation  of  Christian 
virtue,  to  become  qualified  for  tilling  those  positions 
worthily."  Certainly  not  much  to  create  such  a  con- 
sternation in  the  halls  of  the  House  of  Lords,  of  such 
a  nation  as  Great  Britain.  It  Avas  a  ridiculous  affair, 
and  well  illustrates  the  folly  that  possesses  some  men, 
who  in  their  zeal  to  defend  the  honor  of  the  church, 
bring  ridicule  upon  it. 

Before  taking  their  departure  from  England,  Mr. 
Sankey  made  a  visit  to  Switzerland,  Avhere  he  received 
a  most  enthusiastic  welcome.  Here  he  sang  some  of 
his  beautiful  songs,  giving  great  joy  to  all  who  heard 
him.  Mr.  Moody  took  a  short  trip  into  Korth  Wales, 
where  he  delivered  some  addresses,  and  received  a 
joyous  welcome  at  the  hands  of  the  Welsh  ijeople. 

The  farewell  in  Great  Britain  was  held  at  Liverpool 


234 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


on  August  3.  The  meetings  lield  during  the  day  were 
impressive  and  of  the  most  affecting  character.  Sev- 
eral  addresses  vere  made^  and  one  of  great  length  by 
Mr^  Moody.  They  took  their  departure  in  the  Spain, 
and  were  greeted  with  the  most  enthusiastic  applause 
and  evidences  of  good  will,  the  great  crowd  on  the 
shore  singing  several  of  Mr.  Sankey's  songs  as  the 
vessel  moved  out  of  sight. 

In  closing  the  narrative  of  the  work  of  the  Evangel- 
ists in  Great  Britain,  which  has  been  so  briefly  and 
incompletely  given,  it  may  be  well  to  say  that  a  careful 
reading  of  the  record  of  the  work  done,  as  it  has  been 
gleaned  from  the    Christian,"    Times  of  Blessing," 

Signs  of  our  Times,"  The  Evangelist,"  and  The 
Christian  World,"  shows  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
displays  of  the  power  of  preaching  and  singing  that 
the  world  has  ever  seen.  'No  fair  conception  can  be 
had  from  this  short  account,  of  what  was  done,  as 
the  incidents  of  work,  the  power  of  the  preaching  and 
singing,  and  the  remarkable  interest  taken  by  the  peo- 
ple, can  be  but  touched  upon  in  so  short  a  compass. 
And  after  all,  no  record  can  be  given  of  the  work,  as 
no  one  can  measure  the  depth  and  power  of  it,  and  the 
thousands  upon  thousands  of  souls  saved  through  the 
great  instrumentalities  used.  The  great  Bay  of  Ac- 
counts will  alone  reveal  w^hat  power  and  sweep  the 
meetings  had,  and  how  many  dark  lives  were  bright- 
ened and  made  joyous  in  the  light  of  redeeming  love. 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

THE  BETUKN  TO  AMERICA. 

Upon  their  return  to  their  native  land,  the  Evangel- 
ists separated  at  New  York  to  visit  among  friends  and 


THE  RETURN  TO  AMERICA. 


235 


take  Bomh  needed  rest.  Mr.  Moody  went  to  his  old 
home  in  Korthfield,  Massachusetts,  to  visit  his  aged 
mother,  while  Mr.  Sankey  went  to  New  Castle,  Pa.,  on 
a  visit  to  his  relatives,  nearly  all  of  whom  reside  at 
that  place.  Upon  his  arrival  he  was  given  a  formal 
reception  by  his  old  friends  and  neighbors,  by  which 
they  testified  their  love  for  the  earnest  Christian  singer, 
whom  they  had  known  and  loved  from  his  boyhood. 

But  a  brief  rest  was  taken,  however,  as  Mr.  Moody 
commenced  a  meeting  in  Northfield  in  the  month  of 
September.  The  first  service  was  held  on  the  evening 
of  the  9th  September.  The  New  York  Herald had 
the  following  to  say  of  the  opening  services : 

''After  a  brief  prayer  by  the  Eev.  Mr.  Warfield,  of 
Greenfield,  there  followed  some  singing — '  Sweet  Hour 
of  Prayer.^  Under  such  leadership  a  trained  chorus 
could  not  have  sung  the  simple  tune  more  grandly  than 
this  untrained  congregation.  From  the  beginning  all 
sang  in  full  voice,  until,  on  reaching  the  word  'farewell' 
in  the  last  line,  Sankey  suddenly  dropped  his  voice  to 
a  pianissimo.  The  congregation  were  quick  to  divine 
his  wish,  and  the  fiood  of  song,  which  had  been  like 
the  roar  of  many  waters,  died  away  like  the  ripple  of 
a  wave  upon  the  shore.  It  was  really  a  musical  efiect 
for  which  the  director  of  a  chorus  might  labor  for  weeks 
and  not  attain  so  perfectly;  yet  here  it  was  accom- 
X)lished,  as  it  were,  spontaneously,  by  the  invisible 
bond  of  sympathy — magnetism,  do  you  say? — which 
Sankey  somehow  establishes  between  himself  and  the 
largest  congregations, 

"  After  the  singing  of  the  hymn  Mr.  Moody  said  that 
there  had  been  sent  in  requests  for  prayers  for  an 
orphan,  for  a  young  man  addicted  to  strong  drink,  and 
for  the  conversion  of  a  wayward  husband.'^ 

Addresses  were  made  by  Major  Whittle  and  Mr. 


236 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


Moody,  after  which  Mr.  Sankey  sang  Jesus  of  ]N"aza- 
reth  i>asseth  by/'  Miiety  and  Mne/'  and  Hold  the 
Fort,"  to  the  great  delight  of  the  congregation.  An 
excellent  work  was  done  in  the  town,  and  among  others 
Mr.  Moody's  mother  stood  up  for  prayers. 

The  best  summing  up  of  the  results  of  the  meeting 
we  have  seen  is  that  given  in  the  Springfield  "  Union,'^ 
which  is  herewith  given : 

"  Mr.  Moody's  work  here  has  been  a  great  thing  for 
the  old  North  Church,  and  has  infused  new  life  into  it. 
They  have  not  seen  such  a  visitation  for  many  years, 
and  no  wonder  the  pastor,  Eev.  T.  J.  Clark,  is  encour- 
aged, and  x)reached  this  morning  with  more  than  usual 
power.  His  text  was  from  John  xvL  8-11,  and  his 
theme  was  ^Conviction  by  the  Holy  Spirit.'  The 
church  was  full,  and  that  has  seldom  been  the  case 
during  the  past  dozen  years,  since  the  unfortunate  di- 
vision in  the  society  on  the  matter  of  selling  the  pews. 
The  preciousness  of  such  a  season  to  such  a  people 
cannot  be  over-estimated.  Old  wounds  are  healed,  and 
long  estrangements  are  forgotten.  Among  the  young 
converts  are  a  number  of  the  old  residents  who,  before 
Mr.  Moody's  coming,  had  not  been  in  the  old  church  for 
a  decade. 

^'  One  of  the  most  conspicuous  conversions  is  that  of  a 
prominent  business  man,  over  fifty  years  of  age  5  a  man 
of  wealth,  but  a  notoriously  profane  man.  He  is  a 
leader  in  the  town  ;  a  man  of  the  kind  that  you  can 
always  tell  where  they  are — outspoken,  bluff,  hearty, 
and  profane.  He  attended  Sunday  school  to-day, 
and  broke  down  during  the  singing  of  an  old  hymn 
familiar  to  his  childhood.  He  wept  like  a  boy,  and 
he  was  not  ashamed  of  it  either — not  he  !  He  had 
taken  two  days  to  consider  the  matter,  having  attended 
the  meetings,  and  having  become  interested.  Mr. 


THE  RETURN  TO  AMERICA. 


237 


Moody's  business  way  of  putting  the  subject  had 
caught  his  attention  where  forty  ministers  had  failed 
to  do  so.  It  is  worth  something  to  have  such  a  man 
come  out  and  boldly  tell  his  old  associates  that  he  ^  is 
as  far  for  God  now  as  he  was  for  the  devil  before.' 
This  man  is  not  alone.  We  heard  to-day  of  another 
prominent  business  man,  over  fifty  years  of  age,  who 
has  also  come  out  emphatically  ^  on  the  side  of  the 
Lord  and  Brother  Moody.'  Of  course  it  is  impossible 
to  say  just  how  many  have  met  with  a  change  of  heart 
during  this  revival,  for  the  number  of  those  almost 
persuaded  is  alwa3'S  large  5  but  there  is  every  reason 
to  believe  that  among  the  Korth  Church  people  alone 
there  are  already  over  twenty  converts  fully  per- 
suaded and  beyond  the  slightest  hesitation.  The 
homely  words  of  a  big,  brawny  farmer  to  his  son,  as 
they  two  drove  away  from  the  church  to-night^  ahead 
of  us,  are  quite  true,  and  maybe  taken  as  very  just 
testimony  of  a  more  or  less  general  application  :  'I  tell 
you  what,  Jim,  I  think  that  man  has  done  me  a  good 
deal  of  good,  that's  what's  the  matter.'" 

BROOKLYN. 

The  Evangelists  commenced  their  labors  in  this  city 
on  Sunday,  October  24th,  1875.  Complete  prepara- 
tions had  been  made  for  their  coming,  a  union  of  the 
various  evangelical  societies  being  brought  about  for 
conference  and  prayer.  They  pledged  each  other  to 
cordially  cooperate  in  the  proposed  work,  and  to  do  all 
in  their  power  to  make  it  successful.  The  Eink,  located 
on  Clermont  avenue,  had  been  engaged  for  the  month 
of  services,  and  was  seated  with  chairs  for  5,000 
persons. 

The  services  were  opened  in  the  morning  at  8:30 
o'clock,  the  building  being  packed  full,  and  thousands 


238 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


were  turned  away  for  want  of  room.  A  selected  choir 
of  250  voices  aided  Mr.  Sankey  in  the  singing,  occu- 
pying a  place  on  the  platform.  A  large  number  of 
eminent  ministers  were  present,  who  entered  heartily 
into  the  work,  and  showed  by  their  acts  that  they  were 
deeply  interested  in  it. 

At  tke  hour  indicated  for  opening  the  services,  the 
congregation  united  with  Mr.  Sankey  in  singing — 

Hejoice  and  be  glad ! 

The  Redeemer  lias  come  i 
Go  look  on  His  cradle,  His  cross,  and  His  tomb,  etc. 

Eev.  Dr.  Buddington  led  in  prayer,  when  another 
hymn  was  sung,  after  which  Mr.  Moody  addressed  the 
large  audience,  from  the  13th  chapter  of  l^umbers, 
part  of  the  30th  verse,  Let  us  go  up  at  once  and  pos- 
sess it,  for  we  are  well  able  to  overcome  it.'' 

The  afternoon  service,  at  four  o'clock,  was  attended 
by  an  immense  crowd,  three-fourths  of  whom  were 
turned  away  for  lack  of  accommodation. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  first  week's  services,  the 
Kew  York  Observer,"  in  a  calm  survey  of  the  work 
done,  had  the  following  to  say  : 

There  is  abundant  evidence  that  the  work  in 
Brooklyn,  in  connection  with  the  labors  of  the  Evan- 
gelists, Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  has  taken  a  deep 
hold  upon  the  churches,  and  that  it  has  been  attended 
with  the  awakening  and  conversion  of  many  souls. 
The  meetings  have  been  continued  during  the  second 
week  with  the  addition  of  an  afternoon  service  for 
Bible  reading,  at  which  Mr.  Moody  has  read  and  com- 
mented upon  the  word  of  God.  This  has  been  one  of 
the  most  interesting  and  profitable  services  of  the 
week.  It  shows  the  great  familiarity  of  Mr.  Moody 
with  the  Holy  Scriptures,  not  merely  with  the  text, 
but  with  the  whole  Bible  history,  and  with  its  mean- 


THE  RETURN  TO  AMERICA. 


239 


ing,  and  at  the  same  time  reveals  one  of  the  chief 
elements  of  his  power  and  success  as  a  preacher.  He 
is  mighty  in  the  Scriptures. 

The  morning  meeting^  for  prayer  and  conference, 
at  Mr.  Talmage's  Tabernacle,  which  holds  three  or 
four  thousand,  has  been  uniformly  crowded.  A  spirit 
of  earnest  prayer  has  prevailed,  and  thousands  of  re- 
quests, written  and  vocal,  for  an  interest  in  the  i)rayers 
of  Grod's  people,  have  been  made  by  anxious  persons, 
by  parents  for  their  children,  and  children  for  parents, 
by  friends  for  others,  &c.  Prayer  meetings  have  also 
been  held  in  several  other  churches,  where  the  interest 
has  been  as  manifest  as  in  the  meetings  attended  by 
the  Evangelists. 

"  One  of  the  most  encouraging  features  of  the  work 
is  that  the  pastors  of  so  many  of  the  churches  of  vari- 
ous denominations  appear  to  be  so  thoroughly  alive  to 
the  importance  of  improving  this  harvest  season  for 
the  ingathering  of  souls,  and  for  the  permanent  edifi- 
cation of  the  churches.  Many  of  the  N'ew  York  i)as- 
tors  also  have  attended  the  meetings  and  taken  part 
in  them. 

Mr.  Sankey's  singing  has  been,  as  in  other  places, 
not  only  attractive  and  interesting,  but  a  very  imiDres- 
sive  part  of  the  services,  many  being  melted  into  tears 
by  his  hymns,  and,  as  we  hope,  led  by  them  to  the 
Saviour.'' 

The  Christian  Union"  had  the  following,  prefacing 
its  report  of  the  proceedings  : 

The  first  week's  services,  closing  with  Sunday  even- 
ing last,  have  exhibited  daily  and  increasing  manifes- 
tations of  the  Divine  presence.  The  apprehension  that 
the  immense  crowd  which  attended  the  opening  meet- 
ing reported  in  our  last  issue  was  attracted  mainly  by 
curiosity  was  unfounded.    For  at  every  meeting  since, 


240 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


whether  at  the  Eink  or  the  Tabernacle,  there  have 
been  overwhelming  audiences,  and  *the  warmest  en- 
thusiasm has  prevailed. 

"  The  morning  meetings  are  held  in  the  Tabernacle 
at  eight,  and  even  before  this  early  hour  the  room, 
said  to  accommodate  five  thousand,  has  been  filled, 
and  hundreds  outside  been  turned  awa^"  disappointed. 
Various  clergymen  and  laymen  have  rendered  effec- 
tive service  at  the  social  prayer  and  inquiry  meetings, 
although  the  leadership  has  been  retained  by  Messrs. 
Moody  and  San  key  .'^ 

During  the  second  week  very  interesting  meetings 
were  held,  with  good  results.  There  were  Bible  read- 
ings at  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  each  Tuesday, 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday.  That  held  on 
Thursday  was  attended  by  nearly  three  thousand  per- 
sons, which  was  of  absorbing  interest  and  much 
power.  Parts  of  the  eighth  chapter  of  Nehemiah  were 
studied  and  commented  upon. 

The  morning  prayer  meetings  were  kept  in  opera- 
ation  to  the  great  good  of  the  large  numbers  of  per- 
sons who  attended  them. 

The  meetings  at  the  Eink  in  the  evenings  were  in- 
tended for  unconverted  persons,  and  for  those  who  did 
not  regularl}^  attend  any  church,  and  church  goers 
were  formally  notified  to  remain  away  from  the  ser- 
vices and  allow  the  non-church  going  class  to  attend, 
many  of  whom  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity 
to  hear  the  Gospel  preached  for  the  first  time. 

The  ^^^^ew  York  Observer''  gives  the  following  ac- 
count of  the  meetings  on  Sunday  19th  : 

The  Eink  was  crowded  on  Sunday  morning  when 
Mr.  Moody  preached,  and  a  deep  impression  was  made 
upon  the  assembly.  In  the  afternoon  the  meeting  was 
exclusively  for  women  and  was  filled  before  the  hour, 


THE  BET  URN  TO  AMERICA.  241 

Mr  Moody  announcing  the  30tli  liymnj  ^  God  loved 
the  world  of  sinners  lost.'  The  opening  prayer  was 
then  offered^  and  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the  17th  hymn, 

Knocking,  knocking !  Who  is  there  f  Mr.  Moody 
then  read  from  Luke  16th  and  2d  chapters.  After  the 
singing  of  the  81st  hymn,  ^Yet  there  is  room/  Mr. 
Moody  gave  out  his  text  as  from  Luke  ii.,  7 ;  ^  And 
they  laid  him  in  the  manger,  because  there  was  no 
room  in  the  inn.'  He  pictured  the  advent  of  Christ 
into  the  world,  and  said  there  was  always  room  for  the 
princes  of  the  earth,  but  the  Prince  of  Heaven  had  not 
where  to  lay  His  head.  But  some  will  say  the  people 
of  Palestine  did  not  know  who  Jesus  was,  else  they 
might  have  received  Him.  My  friends,  said  the 
preacher,  are  you  ready  to  receive  Him  now,  after 
1,800  years  have  rolled  away!  Is  there  a  nation  un- 
der heaven  that  wants  Him,  and  would  receive  Him 
should  he  come  again  ?  I^o.  Even  the  churches — 
some  of  them — would  not  receive  Him.  They  have  the 
form  of  godliness,  but  deny  the  power  thereof.  The 
cry  is  universal,  '  IsTo  room  for  Jesus.' 

"  In  the  evening  the  service  at  the  Eink  was  devoted 
to  those  holding  tickets,  which  had  been  given  out  to 
persons  not  in  the  habit  of  attending  church.  The 
building  was  densely  crowded,  and  thousands  went 
away,  unable  to  gain  admission  for  want  of  room. 
After  the  opening  x>rayer  Mr.  Sankey  sang,  ^  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  passeth  by.'  Mr.  Moody  read  from  Luke 
10th  chapter,  of  the  man  who  went  down  from  Jerusa- 
lem to  Jericho  and  fell  among  thieves,  commenting  on 
the  story,  and  then  said  Mr.  Sankey  had  been  re- 
quested to  sing  the  6th  hymn,  '  The  Mnety  and  limine.' 
Before  doing  so  Mr.  Sankey  read  the  i^ortion  of  Scrip- 
ture upon  which  the  hymn  is  founded.  Mr.  Moody 
then  preached  from  Matthew  xiv.  14,  '  And  Jesus 

11 


242 


MOODY  AND  SANICEY. 


vreiit  forth  and  saw  a  great  multitude^  and  was  moved 
with  compassion.'  The  audience  were  deeply  affected 
by  the  discourse,  many  being  in  tears  during  its 
delivery." 

During  this  week,  there  was  a  very  marked  increase 
in  the  number  of  requests  for  prayer  5  mothers  asked 
prayer  for  their  children,  children  for  their  parents, 
and  friends  for  other  friends,  and  on  Wednesday 
nearly  two  hundred  were  read. 

The  Christian  Union''  sums  up  the  third  week's 
work  in  the  following  concise  and  full  manner : 

The  close  of  the  third  week  exhibits  no  abatement 
either  in  the  attendance  or  zeal  of  the  revival  meetings. 
On  the  contrary  there  has  been  a  marked  increase  in 
both,  and  there  have  been  also  the  liveliest  assurances 
that  many  have  abandoned  their  old  ways  and  de- 
termined to  consecrate  themselves  to  the  Lord. 

^^An  increased  interest  has  also  been  evinced  by  the 
clergy,  a  much  larger  number  than  before  having  been 
in  constant  attendance.  The  early  morning  services 
have  been  especially  full  of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  for  the 
clergymen  coming  from  their  private  service  to  the 
general  meeting  in  the  Tabernacle  have  infused  the 
warm  glow  of  their  own  hearts  into  the  greater  assem- 
blage. This  was  particularly  noticeable  after  the 
ministers'  prayer  meeting  on  Friday  morning,  the  day 
specially  set  apart  for  fasting  and  devotional  exercises. 
At  the  early  hour  of  seven  the  ministers  convened, 
many  of  the  best  known  in  the  city  being  jjresent.  It 
was  distinctively  an  old  fashioned  x)rayer  meeting  with- 
out speeches.  No  one  presided.  Mr.  Moody  said  they 
needed  no  leader  save  the  Holy  Spirit.  Fervent  prayers 
were  uttered  by  many,  some  falling  upon  their  knees, 
making  confession  of  their  weaknesses,  and  praying  for 
greater  strength  and  a  general  outpouring  of  the 


THE  RETUKN  TO  AlVIERICA. 


243 


Divine  influence.  Such  a  meeting  is  far  reaching  in 
its  results.  It  tends  to  break  down  the  spirit  of  rivalry 
and  jealousy  where  such  existed,  and  insures  har- 
monious co-operation  in  carrying  on  the  revival  work 
after  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  have  gone  to  other 
fields. 

Much  dimculty  has  been  experienced  in  accommo- 
dating all  the  crowds  which  throng  to  the  various 
meetings.  It  is  the  particular  desire  of  the  Evangelists 
to  reach  those  who  are  not  habitual  church-goers.  But 
this  latter  class  have  been  tbo  most  prompt  and  regular 
attendants.  As  soon  as  the  doors  are  opened  they  rush 
in,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  others  whom  it  is  hoped  to 
influence.  The  attempt  to  give  the  non-church-goers 
the  preference  by  issuing  tickets  was  but  partially  suc- 
cessful. Additional  services  were  provided  for,  and 
although  a  larger  number  have  been  thus  reached, 
there  is  still  a  demand  for  more  room. 

"  The  requests  for  prayer  have  multiplied  to  such  an 
extent  that  they  have  to  bo  classified.  By  this  means 
much  of  the  pith  and  earnestnesss  are  taken  out,  but  it 
cannot  be  avoided.  At  the  Monday  morning  meeting 
over  two  hundred  were  announced.  The  requests  are 
very  varied  and  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Moody  shows  no  relaxation  of  power  or  intense 
earnestness.  His  presence  at  as  many  as  five  meetings 
a  day  is  a  very  severe  tax  both  upon  his  mind  and 
body,  but  it  is  not  apparent.  He  is  very  prompt, 
and  enters  upon  his  work  always  with  freshness  and 
vigor.  Up  to  the  close  of  last  week  sixty-five  meetings 
had  been  held,  much  of  the  detail  even  of  organizing 
which  devolved  ui^on  him.  Fears  are  exi)ressed  that 
he  may  over-exert  himself,  but  in  reply  to  these  he 
says  that  he  must  work  to  his  utmost  now,  for  upon 
the  results  of  his  labors  in  Brooklyn  will  largely  de- 


244 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


pend  Ms  success  elsewhere.  We  believe  that  lie  is 
laying  strong  foundations  here^  and  that  this  is  the 
commencement  of  a  religious  awakening  which  will 
spread  throughout  the  land.  The  field  is  ripe  for  the 
harvest^  and  the  ingathering  will  be  rich  and  prolific.'' 

The  prediction  in  the  closing  part  of  the  foregoing 
article  has  been  verified  to  a  very  great  extent^  and  the 
entire  nation  seems  to  be  waking  up  to  the  necessity  of 
seeking  after  a  higher  life  in  the  Christian  religion. 

The  meetings  in  Brooklyn  closed  during  the  fourth 
weekj,  to  the  great  regret  of  the  thousands  who  had 
been  charmed  by  the  messages  of  the  Evangelists.  It 
had  been  a  question  with  many  persons  throughout  the 
nation,  whether  they  would  be  able  to  excite  the 
interest  in  their  native  land  that  they  did  in  Great 
Britain.  The  Brooklyn  meetings  proved  conclusively 
that  there  was  no  reason  to  fear  that  they  would  be 
shorn  of  their  strength,  simply  because  of  the  change 
of  their  base  of  operations. 

As  an  instance  in  proof  tha^t  the  meetings  were 
characterized  by  much  the  same  power  as  those  in  Great 
Britain,  we  give  the  following  from  the  ^'Tribune,''  of 
one  of  the  meeetings  : 

During  the  remarks  and  prayers  there  were  many 
responses  from  the  congregation,  and  tears  were  in 
many  eyes.  After  the  meeting,  Dr.  Talmage  said  that 
at  the  regular  meeting  in  his  church  on  Sunday  even- 
ing 300  persons  arose  for  religious  inquiry,  and  clergy- 
men noted  this  as  a  very  remarkable  instance  of  the 
religious  spirit  which  is  now  becoming  prominent  in 
Brooklyn.''  ^ 

Of  another  of  the  meetings,  the  ^^  Herald''  said,  in  no- 
ticing a  sermon  of  Mr.  Moody's:  ^^Let  us  go  and  take 
the  land,"  repeated  a  hundred  times  in  rising,  vigorous 
tones  by  a  strong-bodied  man  of  intense  earnestness, 


THE  IlETURN  TO  AMERICA. 


24a 


struck  the  key-note  of  the  revival.  He  had  no  occasion 
to  explain  that  he  called  for  an  army  of  believers  to  go 
forth  and  drive  sin  out  of  the  nation.  His  audience 
was  responsive.  He  used  neither  logic  nor  rhetoric, 
but  he  thrilled  them  with  the  energy  and  boldness  of 
his  brief  and  plain  appeal.  It  was  as  if  Cortez,  hungry 
and  disheartened^  turned  to  his  timid  but  famishing 
followers,  and,  pointing  to  the  gilded  battlements  of 
Montezuma's  palaces,  cried  out  in  desperation,  ^^Let 
us  go  lip  and  take  the  land  f  and  history  records  that 
they  went  and  took  it.'' 

The  Sunday  School  Times ''  said : 
Whatever  question  was  in  any  mind  as  to  the 
popular  interest  likely  to  be  awakened  in  this  country 
through  the  labors  of  the  Evangelists  who  were  so 
blessed  in  Great  Britain,  it  is  at  end  since  their  first 
meeting  in  Brooklyn.  It  is  clear  that  their  words  are 
to  fall  upon  as  ready  ears  in  America  as  in  England. 
Thousands  of  Christians  thank  God  and  take  courage 
as  they  read  the  thrilling  reports  of  the  opening  servi- 
ces led  by  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  on  Sunday  last.'^ 

Qiiotatiou  after  quotation  could  be  given,  showing 
beyond  all  controversy,  that  the  labors  of  these  men 
were  blessed  after  their  return  to  America  just  as 
largely  as  over  the  sea ;  but  enough  has  been  said,  per- 
haps, to  satisfy  all  Christian  people  that  now  is  the 
opportunity  to  draw  thousands  to  the  cross  of  Christ. 

PHILADELPHIA. 

Meetings  were  commenced  in  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia on  the  21st  of  November.  Some  weeks  before 
their  arrival,  it  Vv^as  determined  to  invite  the  Evan- 
gelists to  that  city,  and  a  committee  of  hfteen  minis- 
ters was  appointed  to  arrange  for  their  visit,  represent- 
ing all  the.  evangelical  denominations  of  the  city. 


246 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


E-ev.  Eicliard  ISTewton,  D.  D.,  of  the  Episcopal  Cliiircb, 
was  elecced  cliairmau^  and  Eev.  C.  P,  Masden,  of  tlie 
Eeformed  Cliurclij  secretary. 

Another  committee  was  also  appointed ,  composed 
of  thirteen  prominent  and  well  known,  business  men 
of  the  various  denominations,  to  conduct  the  business 
arrangements  for  the  meeting.  It  organized  by  elect- 
ing Mr.  George  H.  Stuart  chairman,  Mr.  John  E. 
Whitney,  treasurer,  and  Mr.  Thomas  K.  Cree,  secre- 
tary, when  they  at  once  went  to  work. 

They  secured  the  old  freight  depot  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Eailroad  Company,  Thirteenth  and  Market 
streets,  which  was  fitted  up  ready  for  use  in  three  weeks. 
The  main  audience  room  was  seated  with  8,904  chairs; 
at  the  back  end  the  speaker's  platform  was  arranged 
in  tiers,  with  1,304  chairs,  making  a  seating  capacity 
of  10,208.  There  were  also  three  large  inquiry  rooms, 
besides  the  committee  rooms.  The  room  was  lighted 
from  about  1,000  burners,  besides  the  admission  of 
daylight  by  means  of  skylights.  The  cosb  of  these 
preparations  was  about  $25,000,  which  was  spontane- 
ously given  by  those  in  sympathy  with  the  movement. 

Evangeline  Trenifidi,  in  speaking  of  the  building, 
related  the  following : 

The  building  outside  presents  a  striking  resem- 
blance to  the  traditional  Noali's  Ark.  So  much  so 
that  on  the  first  morning  of  these  services,  as  the  rain 
descended  and  the  floods  came  and  the  winds  blew  in 
such  a  way  as  to  astonish  Philadelphia,  two  little 
frightened  doves  followed  the  dripping  congregation 
into  the  building,  alighting  on  a  convenient  rafter 
v/here  they  plumed  their  wet  feathers  and  eyed  the 
gathering  multitude  with  a  pert  and  saucy  inquisitive- 
ness,  comical  to  behold.  One  could  easily  realize  the 
scene,  as  the  ark  floated  out  upon  the  swelling  waters. 


THE  EETURN  TO  AMERICA. 


247 


Query  :  If  i^Toali  took  olf  a  shipload  of  liiiinaii  beiugs 
instead  of  animals  of  a  lower  grade,  what  would  he 
have  done  with  eleven  thousand  umbrellas  t 

The  meetings  were  opened  on  the  morning  of  the 
21st,  under  most  auspicious  circumstances.  The  meet- 
ings for  the  first  eight  days  were  interesting  and 
i:)rofitable,  an  account  of  which  we  give  from  the  pen 
of  Mr.  Thomas  K.  Cree : 

The  opening  msorning  was  a  cold,  winter  morning, 
the  rain  pouring  in  torrents  for  an  hour  before  the 
opening  of  the  service.  At  eight  o'clock,  when  the 
doors  were  closed,  there  were  from  eight  to  nine  thou- 
sand persons  in  the  audience.  In  the  afternoon,  at  4 
o'clock,  a  damp,  disagreeable  day,  an  hour  before  the 
time  of  beginning  the  service  the  Hall  was  packed, 
there  being  fully  twelve  thousand  people  in  the  audi- 
ence, and  it  is  estimated  twenty  thousand  persons  were 
turned  away  unable  to  obtain  admittance.  The  morn- 
ing prayer  meeting,  from  8  to  9  o'clock,  was  opened  in 
The  Chambers  Presbyterian  Church,  accommodating 
some  two  thousand  people,  but  after  three  days  the 
number  in  attendance  was  so  great  that  it  had  to  be 
moved  to  the  Hall.  The  first  morning  in  the  Hall 
some  six  thousand  persons  were  present.  On  Thanks- 
giving evening  the  service  was  announced  for  7^ 
o'clock.  At  2  o'clock  the  people  began  to  gather 
about  the  building,  and  by  5  o'clock  thousands  were 
waiting  to  obtain  admission.  At  6  o'clock  the  house 
was  crowded,  fully  twelve  thousand  persons  being 
present,  and  the  doors  were  closed,  shutting  out  most 
of  the  ministers,  a  large  part  of  the  choir,  and  many 
representatives  of  the  press.  On  last  Sunday  the  8 
o'clock  service  was  for  Christian  workers,  admitted  by 
tickets,  which  were  given  free  to  those  applying  for 
them.    By  noon,  Saturday,  all  the  tickets  were  given 


248 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


outj  and  many  were  tlius  prevented  from  attending. 
This  sermon  to  Christians  was  the  most  impressive 
Mr.  Mood}"  had  so  far  given.  It  was  on  Love  and 
Sympathy,'^  and  many  times  during  the  sermon  there 
was  hardly  a  person  in  the  vast  audience  who  was  not 
affected  to  tears.  This  service  closed  the  special  ser- 
mons to  Christians.  For  a  week  he  preached,  talked 
tOj  and  exhorted  Christians  to  more  consecration  and 
earnestness,  and  the  result  of  the  first  week^s  work 
will  be  felt  during  the  continuance  of  the  meetings. 

Sunday  afternoon  the  services  for  the  impenitent 
were  begun.  At  3  o'clock,  an  hour  before  the  time  of 
service,  the  doors  were  closed,  shutting  in  eleven  or 
twelve  thousand  women  (no  men  being  admitted), 
and  shutting  out  large  numbers  who  vainly  sought 
admittance.  Such  an  assemblage  was  never  before  in 
this  country  gathered  under  one  roof,  and  the  sight  of 
so  vast  an  audience  of  women,  as  in  rows  they  stretched 
from  side  to  side  away  to  the  back  end  of  the  Hall,  was 
a  scene  hard  to  picture.  Mr.  Moody  preached  from 
John,  3d  chapter,  7th  verse,  '  Ye  must  be  born  again.' 
It  was  his  first  sermon  here  to  those  out  of  Christ,  and 
it  was  an  earnest  and  effective  sermon  on  regeneration, 
the  necessity  for  a  new  birth.  He  refuted  the  various 
excuses,  answered  the  false  reasoning,  and  then  boldly 
stated  he  could  not  reason  out  regeneration,  that  it 
was  a  revelation,  and  one  could  only  understand  it  by 
accepting  the  new  birth  as  a  God-given  gift,  a  new 
creation.  The  sermon  was  full  of  beautiful  imagery, 
touching  incidents,  pathos,  and  eloquence,  and  yet  a 
statement  of  facts  none  could  question,  i)ut  in  a  terse, 
blunt  way  that  would  make  a  lasting  impression.  Mr. 
Sankey  never  sang  with  more  sweetness,  and  as  the 
soft  notes  of  the  I^inety  and  Mne  passed  from  row  to 
row,  penetrating  in  their  fullness  and  sweetness  every 


THE  RETURN  TO  AMERICA. 


249 


corner  of  the  vast  audience  room^  multitudes  wept, 
scarcely  knowing  why.  Mr.  Moody  requested  those 
not  Christians  wishing  to  be  prayed  for  to  rise.  Fully 
five  hundred  accepted  the  invitation.  Those  who 
arose  were  requested  to  go  to  the  inquiry  rooms  before 
the  audience  was  dismissed,  and  a  wave  of  people 
moved  toward  them  from  all  parts  of  the  house.  In 
the  inquiry  rooms  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  assisted 
by  ministers  and  Christian  workers,  were  engaged  in 
I)ointing  inquirers  to  Christ,  and  many  who  went  in 
weeping  penitents  went  away  rejoicing  in  a  sense  of 
pardoned  sins. 

At  7|  o'clock  the  service  was  for  men  only,  and  at 
that  hour  an  audience  of  ten  thousand  men,  mostly 
young  ]nen,  was  assembled.  Mr.  Moody  repeated  the 
sermon  of  the  afternoon  with  increased  earnestness 
and  power. 

He  carried  with  him  the  hearts  of  the  listeners, 
and  a  more  attentive  and  quiet  audience  never  sat 
listening  to  the  Gospel.  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the  '  Pro- 
digal chihl  ^  and  other  most  impressive  pieces.  When 
the  invitation  was  given  for  those  not  Christians  wish- 
ing to  be  prayed  for  to  arise,  hundreds  stood  up  and 
subsequently  went  into  the  inquiry  rooms.  A  nine 
o'clock  meeting  for  young  men  has  been  held  every 
evening  in  the  Arch  street  M.  E.  Church,  and  the 
kouse  has  been  full.  So  many  requests  for  i>rayer  are 
presented  every  evening  that  all  who  wish  cannot  be 
heard,  and  large  numbers,  as  many  as  forty  in  an 
evening,  of  those  out  of  Christ  have  stood  up  to  be 
prayed  for.  These  are  afterwards  tallved  with  jyxi- 
vately,  and  many  have  been  hopefully  converted. 

A  marked  feature  of  these  meetings  has  been  the 
familiarity  with  the  Scriptures  of  those  taking  part  in 
the  meetings.   Many  touching  incidents  have  occurred^ 

11* 


250 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


and  some  marked  cases  of  conversion  liave  taken 
place.'' 

The  following  incident  was  related  by  Mr.  San  key  at 
one  of  the  morning  x)rayer  meetings  :  While  we  were 
holding  special  meetings  in  Brooklyn ^  a  fine  young 
man  came  into  the  inquiry  meeting  along  with  a  num- 
ber of  others.  After  speaking  and  praying  with  those 
who  seemed  anxious  about  their  eternal  welfare,  I 
spoke  to  him  personally,  and  asked  him  if  he  was  will- 
ing now  to  accept  Christ  as  his  only  Saviour. 

He  bowed  his  head  in  his  hands  as  he  sat  by  my 
side,  and  with  great  earnestness,  Y\^hile  his  whole  frame 
shook  with  deepest  feeling,  said,  ^  Jesus  will  not  ac- 
cept me.' 

"  I  said,  '  Why  not  f 

"  '  Because  I  have  been  an  Infidel  for  many  years, 
and  have  been  a  follower  of  Bradlaugh,  and  have,  for 
the  last  eight  years,  not  ceased  to  speak,  in  private 
and  in  public,  against  Him.  Indeed,  I  have  traveled 
nearly  all  over  the  world,  and  spoken  everywhere  I 
could  against  Christ  and  all  those  who  professed  to  be 
Christians,  and  now  I  fear  He  will  not  forgive  me  for 
what  I  have  done.' 

"  I  said,  '  Do  you  want  Him  to  forgive  you  V 
u  L  Well,  sir,'  he  said,  ^  I  do  not  know  what  is  the 
matter  with  me,  ar  why  I  am  here  to-night.  Some 
power  that  I  do  not  understand  has  been  working 
upon  me  for  the  last  two  days,  and  I  am  in  a  despond- 
ent state  of  mind. 

He  stopped  speaking,  and  I  lifted  my  heart  in 
prayer  that  I  might  make  no  mistake  in  dealing  with 
this  man.  I  waited  for  a  moment,  and  then  said,  ^  My 
dear  friend,  what  you  need  to-night  is  Christ — He  will 
dispel  your  gloom  and  sorrow.' 

'  But,'  said  he,  rousing  himself  from  what  seemed 


THE  RETURN  TO  AjMERIOA. 


251 


a  deep  re  very,  ^  I  liave  fouglit  against  Him  all  my  life, 
and  I  thouglit  I  was  right,  too.' 

I  said,  ^Did  you  have  peace  in  your  heart  when 
you  were  preaching  against  Christ 

He  looked  up  at  me  and  said,  ^  ISTo,  I  was  a  coward. 
I  remember  while  coming  home  from  a  long  journey 
on  the  sea,  we  were  one  night  driven  by  the  storm 
nigh  unto  some  rocks  near  a  certain  cape,  and  when  I 
thought  we  were  sure  to  go  to  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  I 
got  down  upon  m^^  knees  and  prayed  to  God  to  save  us. 
The  storm  passed  away,  and  Avith  it  went  my  i>rayers, 
for  as  soon  as  I  thought  we  were  safe  I,  like  a  coward, 
went  back  to  my  old  ways,  and  denied  that  there  was 
a  God.' 

Well,' I  said,  ^let  that  go.  What  brou|,ht  you 
here  V 

"  'I  do  not  know,'  he  said.  '  I  have  not  been  in  a 
church  for  eight  years ;  I  have  not  spoken  to  a  Chris- 
tian for  eight  years,  as  I  have  lived  entirely  among 
infidels  and  skeptics.  But  about  a  year  ago  I  received 
a  letter  from  my  j)oor  old  mother,  away  over  in  Dun- 
dee, Scotland,  and  in  it  she  asked  me  to  make  her  one 
promise,  and  that  was,  when  Mr.  Mood}'  and  Mr.  San- 
key  came  back  to  America,  if  they  came  to  the  town  or 
city  where  I  was,  that  I  would  go  and  liear  them.  I 
answered  her  that  I  would  go  and  hear  you ;  and  when 
you  came  here,  I  thought  I  would  have  to  keep  my 
word  to  my  mother,  so  I  went  to  the  Eink  two  nights 
in  succession,  and  since  that  I  have  not  had  any  rest. 
Yesterday  and  to-day  I  have  had  to  close  up  my  office. 
I  am  a  civil  engineer.  I  have  been  walking  the  streets 
all  da}^,  thinking^  thinking^  and  not  being  acquainted 
with  any  Christians  to  whom  I  could  speak,  I  thought 
I  would  go  once  more  to  the  Eink,  and  now  here  I  am, 
talking  to  you.  I  cannot  exx>lain  it,  nor  do  I  know 
why  I  am  here.' 


252 


MOODY  AND  SANKSY. 


I  said  to  liiiD,  ^  My  dear  brotber,  it  is  an  answer  to 
a  mother's  prayers.  She  may  he  praying  for  her  wan- 
dering boy  to-night.  Kow,  do  not  delay  any  longer, 
but  yield  to  Christ,  and  he  Avill  receive  you.' 

^^He  bowed  liis  head,  while  his  trembling  form  told 
how  deeply  his  heart  was  moved,  and,  after  a  hard 
struggle,  he  took  my  hand  and  said :  '  By  the  grace  of 
God,  I  take  Jesus  Christ  as  my  Saviour  now ! '  After 
a  word  of  x)rayer,  I  asked  him  if  he  would  not  write  to 
Scotland  at  once  and  tell  his  mother  all  about  it,  and 
he  said  lie  would. 

''A  few  evenings  afterward  I  met  him  at  the  door  of 
the  meeting,  and  as  he  came  up  to  shake  hands  and 
bid  me  good-bye,  I  said  to  him,  ^  Did  you  write  to  your 
mother  V 

i^^Oh  yes,'  said  he,  'but  not  until  I  had  sent  her  a 
cable  disjKUeJi  first.' 

What  did  you  say  in  the  dispatch?'  I  asked. 

u  (.  Well  sir,  I  just  said  I  have  found  JesuSj  and  signed 
my  name  to  it.' 

" '  Thank  the  Lord,'  said  I. 

Yes,'  said  he, '  that  is  just  what  my  dear  old  mother 
cabled  back  to  me — 'Thank  the  Lord,  O  my  soul." 

''  I  bade  him  good-bj^e,  and  we  separated." 

The  meetings  during  the  stay  of  the  Evangelists  at 
Philadelphia  were  grandly  successful  throughout.  The 
noon-day  meetings  were  attended  daily  by  from  2,000 
to  4,000  persons,  the  room  being  usually  filled.  The 
requests  for  prayer  would  number  as  high  as  300 
almost  every  day.  A  remarkable  meeting  was  held 
at  4  o'clock  P.  M.  on  Sunday,  December  5.  It  was  a 
meeting  for  women  only,  and  the  audience  room  was 
crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity.  At  the  close  2,000 
rose  for  prayers.  So  with  the  services  for  men  ovi\^\ 
As  many  as  12,000  would  crowd  into  the  great  room. 


THE  RETURN  TO  AMERICA. 


253 


The  incidents  of  conversion  were  striking,  and  remark- 
able for  their  simplicity.  We  shall  qnote  two  as  show- 
ing how  simple  a  thing  it  is  to  properly  point  a  soul  to 
Christ. 

Mr.  Moody  was  talking  to  a  young  man  who  said 
he  was  ready  to  accei}t  Christ.  ^  Well/  said  Mr.  Moody, 
beginning  to  read  John  5:  24,  and  asking  at  the  end  of 
each  clause,  'IDo  you  accex)t  that?'  The  young  man 
assented  each  time  till  he  reached  the  words  '  Hath 
everlasting  life/  when  the  young  man  sprang  to  his  feet 
exclaiming  '  I  have  it!  I  have  it!'  and  in  a  few  minutes 
he  was  telling  to  others  how  simple  a  thing  it  was  to 
believe. 

Another  young  man  said,  '  I  have  been  troubled 
about  this  subject  all  the  past  week.'  '  Do  you  think 
Satan  has  a  hand  in  such  trouble?'  was  the  reply. 
^  ITo,  no  1'  '  Well,  if  the  Spirit  of  God  has  made  you 
anxious.  He  will  help  you  now.'  'Oh,  I  think  I  believe 
in  Christ,  but  I  don't  know  what  it  is  to  be  '  born  again." 
At  once  the  Christian  man  turned  to  1  John  5:  1,  and 
slowly  read:  Whosoever  belie veth  that  Jesus  is  the 
Christ,  is  born  of  God."  In  a  moment  the  j^oung  man 
looked  up  with  an  expression  of  joy  on  his  face,  and 
said,  '  Then  I  am  saved.'" 

All  the  meetings  were  well  attended,  some  of  them 
being  crowded  every  day,  and  thousands  turned  away 
for  want  of  room. 

The  men's  meeting  held  on  Sunday  evening,  Dec.  19, 
attracted  universal  attention  by  reason  of  the  presence 
of  some  of  the  leading  men  of  the  nation.  We  copy 
from  the  Philadelphia  ''Times"  an  account  of  it. 

''  The  worshipers  at  the  evening  services,  which  were 
for  men  only,  numbered  ten  regiments  of  1,000  men 
each.  Much  innocent  distraction  was  noticeable,  most 
eyes  being  riveted  to  a  point  a  few  feet  left  of  Mr. 


254 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


Moody,  where  in  turn  sat,  stood  and  bowed  the  head, 
the  President  of  the  United  States  and  the  Governor 
of  Pennsylvania.  The  keen,  coal-black  eye  of  the 
latter  was  hardly  for  a  moment  diverted  from  the 
Evangelist  of  orators,  except  to  be  fixed  upon  the  hand- 
some form  of  the  Evangelist  of  song.  Mr.  Sankey's 
part  of  the  programme  had  evidently  the  greater  charm 
for  the  President,  Mr.  Moody's  the  greater  interest  for 
the  Governor.  There  were  also  on  the  platform  Post- 
master General  Jewell,  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  Judge 
Strong,  of  the  Supreme  Court,  ex-Governor  Bigler, 
ex-Governor  Parker,  of  New  Jersey,  Col.  Fred.  Grant 
and  lady,  ex-Speaker  Blaine,  Gen.  Garfield,  Major  Gen. 
Patterson,  Senator  Wallace  and  lad^^,  Hon.  Messrs. 
Wells,  of  Mississippi,  Thompson,  of  Massachusetts, 
and  Purham,  of  Florida,  Hon,  Thomas  A.  Scott,  ex-Sen- 
ator Cattell,  of  Kew  Jersey,  Bishop  Simpson,  Judge 
Peirce,  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  Alexander  Brown,  Hon.  Morton 
McMichael,  Edward  C.  Knight,  W.  V.  McKean,  man- 
aging editor  of  the  ^Public  Ledger,'  and  other  eminent 
Philadelphians. 

The  85th  hymn,  ^  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul,'  was  sung 
by  the  congregation;  then  Bishop  Simpson  offered 
prayer,  beseeching  blessing  upon  God's  servant,  Mr. 
Moody,  upon  the  President  of  the  United  States,  upon 
his  Cabinet  and  other  high  officers  of  government, 
many  of  whom  were  i)resent.  Mr.  Sankey  sang  the 
'Mnety  and  Mne'  so  well  that  many  well-nigh  forgot 
the  sacredness  of  the  exercises  and  were  about  to  give 
him  a  rousing  clai)ping.  Mr.  Moody  read  from  St. 
Luke  the  same  verses  as  at  the  4  o'clock  meeting,  and 
then,  that  the  distinguished  worshipers  might  be  fully 
benefited  by  the  occasion,  requested  Mr.  Sankey  to 
sing  the  8th  hymn,  ^  Jesus  of  Kazareth  i^asseth  bj^,' 
which  he  did  as  though  fully  aware  of  who  were  his 


THE  RETUKN  TO  AMERICA. 


255 


critics.  Mr.  Moody  prayed  that  every  hard  heart 
might  be  softened  during  the  delivery  of  the  Gospel 
about  to  take  place.  The  congregation,  led  by  Mr. 
Sankey,  sang  the  79th  hymn,  ^  What  shall  the  harvest 
bef  Mr.  Moody's  sermons  comprised  answers  to 
excuses  proffered  by  sinners  undesirous  of  attending 
the  Bridegroom's  feast." 

The  effect  of  the  meetings  upon  the  city  was  good. 
The  churches  were  aroused  to  action,  and  went  to  work 
energetically  to  sustain  the  Evangelists.  The  people 
by  tens  of  thousands  were  attracted  to  a  life  of  religion, 
and  multiplied  hundreds  brought  to  a  saving  knowledge 
of  the  truth. 

With  the  record  of  the  work  in  Philadelphia,  so 
briefly  noticed,  this  volume  closes.  It  has  not  been 
possible  in  a  work  so  condensed,  to  give  a  full  narra- 
tive of  all  the  work  done,  but  perhaps  sufficient  has 
been  said  to  show  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able sijiritual  movements  in  the  world's  history,  and 
has  been  attended  with  the  most  wonderful  results. 
The  work  done  is  widespread  and  beneficial,  reaching 
tens  of  thousands  who  did  not  before  know  of  the 
Gospel  of  Grace.  That  it  is  a  i)ermanent  work  is  at- 
tested by  hundreds  of  incidents  and  facts.  The  fol- 
lowing, relative  to  the  work  in  Great  Britain,  is  a 
proof  of  the  power  and  permanency  of  the  work  of  the 
meetings.    It  is  given  by  Mr.  Thomas  t.  Cree : 

At  a  meeting  held  in  Glasgow  to  celebrate  the  an- 
niversary of  the  visit  of  the  Evangelists  to  that  city, 
on  a  most  gloomy  day,  the  Crystal  Palace,  seating  six 
thousand  people,  was  crowded  all  day,  and  a  second 
meeting  was  organized,  and  thousands  were  turned 
away  unable  to  get  into  either  meeting.  Eev.  Dr. 
Wallace,  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  in  a 
public  address  saidj  a  year  after  their  visit^  as  a  result 


256 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


of  it  seven  thousand  have  been  added  to  the  churches 
in  Glasgow  alone,  and  that  in  the  Evangelists'  rooms 
were  recorded  the  names  of  three  thousand  families  in 
Waifdom  (a  neglected  section  of  the  city)  asking  that 
a  missionary  be  sent  to  visit  and  have  religious  con- 
versation with  them.  In  Liverpool  it  is  also  stated 
that,  omitting  all  aged  people,  children  and  women, 
three  thousand  active  young  men  have  been  added  to 
the  workers  in  the  various  churches.  Like  reports 
come  from  Edinburgh,  Dublin,  London,  and  other 
points." 

Added  to  this,  is  the  following  testimony,  taken 
from  a  letter  of  Mr.  J.  B.  S.  Marsh,  written  from 
Chester,  England.  After  referring  to  the  work  which 
he  had  personally  witnessed  in  the  meetings  in  Great 
Britain,  he  said  : 

'-^  Since  then  I  have  spent  a  little  time  in  each  of  a  dozen 
different  cities  where  he  labored  from  one  to  two  years 
ago,  and  have  had  some  special  facilities  for  studying 
the  results  of  the  w^ork.  It  went  deeper  in  some 
places,  of  course,  than  in  others.  But  I  am  more  and 
more  impressed  every  day  with  its  enduring  power; 
with  the  wonderful  way  in  which  it  has  laid  hold  of 
the  whole  religious  life  of  Great  Britain. 

I  have  not  once  heard  the  complaint,  so  often  made 
after  revival  excitement  has  cooled,  that  converts  did 
not  '  hold  out.'  It  was  a  common  thing  for  people  to 
come  into  his  meetings  indifferent  and  go  away  con- 
verted. Indeed,  the  emphasis  with  which  he  preached 
to  all  alike  the  duty  of  immediate  surrender  was  a 
stumbling  block  to  some  good  people.  Who  could  not 
see  that  a  man  who  decides  promptly  when  an  issue  is 
fully  before  him,  is  quite  as  much  to  be  depended  on 
as  one  who  dallies  a  long  while  over  a  decision  % 
There  are  no  more  steadfast  soldiers  of  Christ  in  the 


THE  RETUKN  TO  AMERICA. 


257 


British  cliurches  to  day  than  those  who  enlisted  under 
Mr.  Moody.  Perhaps  no  other  minister  in  Edinburgh 
has  had  to  do  with  so  many  of  the  converts  in  that  city 
as  Mr.  Wilson,  of  the  Barclay  Church.  He  recently 
stated  that  he  had  known  of  but  two  declensions. 
But  I  am  sure  that  the  most  important  result  of  this 
two  years'  work  is  not  measured  by  the  number  of 
hopeful  conversions  in  connection  with  it,  many  thou- 
sands though  they  were.  The  breaking  down  of  de- 
nominational prejudices  is  most  marked.  The  spirit- 
ual life  of  the  Churches  has  been  greatly  quickened. 
Ministers  confess  that  they  have  preached  since  as  they 
never  knew  how  to  preach  before.  ^  He  used  to  be  a 
very  different  man,  but  he  got  a  blessing  when  Moody 
was  here,'  was  a  remark  made  about  an  earnest  Chris- 
tian worker  in  Edinburgh,  the  like  of  which  one  often 
hears  in  Scotland.  It  was  something  marvellous  how 
he  inoculated  those  whom  he  met  with  his  zeal  for 
souls.  A  business  man  m  an  English  town  went  to 
hear  him  in  another  city.  They  had  a  five  minutes' 
talk  together.  A  new  fire  was  kindled  in  his  heart, 
and  since  then  he  has  had  no  greater  joy  than  to 
preach  in  the  evening  on  the  street  to  those  who  never 
go  to  churchy  adjourning  to  some  convenient  room  for 
a  prayer  and  inquiry  meeting  with  such  as  may  be  en- 
tangled in  his  net.  In  Aberdeen  I  found  the  theatres 
filled  every  Sunday  evening  to  listen  to  the  simple, 
pleading  xDresentation  of  Gospel  truth  from  a  lawyer; 
and  a  police  magistrate  holding  meetings  in  the  Infirm- 
ary with  the  old  people  who  are  too  feeble  to  get  out 
to  any  other  service. 

The  results  that  followed  his  flying  visits  to  some 
of  the  smaller  cities  were  sometimes  quite  remarkable. 
At  Berwick-on-Tweed  I  asked  whether  he  held  meet- 
ings there.  'Yes,  he  was  here  for  one  day.'  I  sug- 
gested that  such  a  short  visit  did  not  leave  much  of  a 


258 


MOODY  AND  SANKEY. 


mark,  probably.  ^Indeed,  it  did/  was  the  answer, 
^It  was  the  ])eginning  of  a  great  revival.  Berwick  has 
never  been  the  same  town  since.^  In  many  places  the 
special  revival  interest — if  it  may  be  called  special  in 
such  a  case — which  began  with  his  meetings,  still 
continues. 

^  Evangelistic  meetings'  are  a  common  form  which 
this  quickened  interest  in  Cl^ristian  work  takes — meet- 
ings with  the  special  aim  of  leading  sinners  to  Christ. 
They  are  held  in  halls,  in  churches,  in  tents ;  on  week 
day  evenings  and  on  Sundays  5  conducted  sometimes 
by  ministers  and  sometimes  by  laymen.  Edinburgh 
seemed  to  be  full  of  them.  The  noon  prayer  meeting  is 
one  of  the  notable  results  of  the  work  in  the  latter  city. 
It  is  held  in  the  Free  Assembly  Hall,  and  attended  v 
by  hundreds  every  day.  The  ministers  and  members 
of  all  denominations  seem  to  be  most  thoroughly 
and  delightfully  united  in  it.  It  flows  on  full  to  the 
banks  with  a  current  of  its  own.  'No  one  comes  for 
the  sake  of '  keeping  it  up.'  The  specific  requests  for 
prayer  that  are  sent  into  it  sometimes  reach  a  hundred 
in  one  da^^,  a  goodly  number  being  accompanied  by 
thanksgiving  for  answers  received  to  prayers  i)revi- 
ously  solicited.  On  Saturdays  it  takes  the  form  of  a 
crowded  children's  meeting,  similar  to  those  held  in 
Dundee  and  other  cities  on  Saturday  afternoons." 

Were  this  not  the  case,  and  had  the  work  done  sim- 
ply led  a  few  into  better  lives,  and  lifted  the  world  of 
sinners  to  a  little  higher  moral  plane,  it  were  certainly 
enough  to  cause  gratitude  in  the  heart  of  every  lover 
of  his  race.  This  has  been  done,  and  may  we  not  hope 
that,  in  the  Providence  of  God,  the  work  may  widen 
and  deepen,  until  our  whole  country  may  be  roused  to 
the  necessity  of  greater  purity  of  heart,  greater  hon- 
esty of  purpose,  and  greater  love  for  our  commou 
brotherhood  of  man  ? 


By  permission  o.f  Mr.  Theodoue  E.  Perkins,  the 
Publishers  annex  the  Words  and  Music  of  ''Jesus  of 
iSTazareth  Passeth  By  f  and  l)y  permission  of  Messrs. 
BiGLOW  &  Main,  they  annex  the  Words  and  Music  of 
''  The  Mnety  and  JSTine.'' 

The  former  is  copied  from  ''  Calvary  Songs/^  and  was 
the  leading  hymn  and  tune  in  the  jneetings  abroad. 

The  latter  is  taken  from  ''  Gospel  Hymns  and  Sacred 
Songs/'  used  by  Messrs.  Moody  &  Sankey  in  their 
Gospel  Meetings,  of  which  more  than  one  million 
copies  have  been  sold  in  four  months. 


lO 


No.  8.         0f  §^sM^tlt  §umi\\  §jj. 


"He  heard  that  it  was  Jesus  of  Nazareth." 
Miss  Eta  Campbell. 


-Mark  10:  47. 

Theo.  E.  Peekins,  by  per. 


I 


— th- 


1.  What  means  this  ea  -  ger,  anxious  throng,  Which  moves  with  busy  haste  along — 

2.  Who    is      this  Je  -  sus  1  Why  should  He  The  cit  -  y  move  so  might-i  -  ly  I 


les 
A 


I 


These  wondrous  gatherings  day  Ibv  day?  What  means  this  strange  commotion  pray? 
pass  -  ing  stranger,  has  He  skill  To 


move  the  mul  -  ti  -  tude  at  will  ? 


■•1  m  m — 5 — a  w 


In  accents  hush' d  the  throng  re-ply:  ''Je-sus  of  Naz  -  a-reth  passeth  by." 
A  -  gain  the  stir  -  ring  notes  re- ply :  *'Je  -  sus  of  Naz  -  a-reth  passeth  by." 


1^ 


I  I  ^ — g— g  S  — d»=^Tr  ^- #— ^— ^— S  H 
^  I 

In  accents  husli'd  the  throng  reply :  "  Je  -  sus  of  Naz- a  -  reth  passeth  by." 
A  -  gain  the  stir  ring  notes  re- ply:  "Je-sus  of  Naz- a -reth  passeth  by." 


J— ^i?  f 

Jig- 

1     1  i 

4  U-j  1 

^ — 

11 


3  Jesus !  'tis  He  who  once  below 

Man's  pathway  trod,  'mid  pain  and  woe  ; 
And  burdened  ones,  where'er  He  came, 
Brought  out  their  sick,  and  deaf,  and  lame 
The  blind  rejoiced  to  hear  the  cry  : 
"Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by.'' 

4  Again  He  comes  !   From  place  to  place 
His  holy  footprints  we  can  trace. 

He  pauseth  at  our  threshoid~nay, 
He  enters — condescends  to  stay. 
Shall  we  not  gladly  raise  the  cry — 
"Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by?" 


5  Ho !  all  ye  heavy-laden  come  I 

Here's  pardon,  comfort,  rest,  and  home. 
Ye  wanderers  from  a  Father's  face, 
Eetum,  accept  His  proffered  grace. 
Ye  tempted  ones,  there's  refuge  nigh  s 
"Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by." 

6  But  if  you  still  this  call  refuse, 
And  all  His  wondrous  love  abuse, 
Soon  will  He  sadly  from  you  turn, 
Your  bitter  prayer  for  pardon  spurn. 
"  Too  late !  too  late !"  will  be  the  cry— 
"Jesus  of  Nazareth  has  passed  by," 


No.  9.  €Mn^  '§m. 

*'  To-day  if  ye  will  hear  His  voice,  harden  not  your  hearts."— Heb.  3  : 15, 


p.  p.  Buss. 

Ill, 

p.  p.  Bliss,  by  per. 

y  L  r.   w-^— - — I— 

-J  

=^ 

— (S 

-  1 

This  lov-ing  Sav-iour  Stands  pa-tient-lyj  Tho'  oft  re  -  ject  -  ed, 
Oh,  boundless  mer  -  cy,  Free,    free  to  i  Stay,  child  of  er  -  ror, 

Tho'  all    Tin  -  wor-  thy,  Come,  now,  come  liome — Say,  while  he's  waiting. 


Calls  a  -  gain  for   thee.        Calling  now  for  thee,  prodigal,  Calling  now  for  ^ 
Heed  the  ten-  der  call.        Calling,  etc. 
Je  -  sus,  dear,  I  come."     Calling,  etc. 


r9  #  1 

9  »  9-  - 

 1 

— r  1   1  - 

^ — p— - 

'  r ' 

-!    1  — ^ 

1  1  1  J  J 

thee; 

?hou  hast  wandered 

f-  ^ — 

1  \r-\  1— 

far    away,  But  He' 
— — ^ — 1^ — p — 

H — h4-4-h- 

s  calling   now  for 

- — 1  ^— - 

thee. 

m 

8 


No.  6. 


"Eejoice  with  me,  for  I  have  found  my  sheep  that  was  lost." — Luke  15:  6. 
Elizabeth  C.  Clepha>t2.  1868.  Ira  D.  Sankey,  by  -per, 

S  N 


pi 


—m — 4~  ; 


N  .^  s 


1.  There^ere  ninety  and  nine  that  safe  -  ly  lay   In  the  shel  -  ter     of  the 


i 


X— H 


d    d  S 


S    S    N    N  S 


fold,    But     one    was  out  on  the  hills  away,    Far     off  from  the  gates  of 


i 


gold —  A    -    way  on  the  mountains  wild  and  bare,  A-  way  from  the  tender 

 0-^  0 — 0---» — #  & — 9 — #-r-#  ^  0  -  — ^ — ^- 


 9  ^  ^^-—"^ 

-J-J   i  1: 

If    •        #        #          9  • 

— *-= — *  w  1 

Shepherd's  care,   A  - 

Sr      ^i^!  ^  • 

way    from  the     ten  -  der 

^  d»    *  :^  " 

Shepherd's  care. 

/TV 

— ^-^  /  ^ 

^  ^— ^—  ^ 

 A  «  JJ 

"Lord. Thou  hast  here  Thy  ninety  and  nine: 

Are  they  not  enough  foV  Thee  ? 
But  the  Shepherd  made  answer:  "  *Tis  of 
mine 

Has  wandered  away  from  me  ; 
And  althoujrh  the  road  be  rouijh  and  steep 
I  go  to  the  desert  to  find  my  sheep." 


But  none  of  the  ransomed  ever  knew 
How  deep  were  the  waters  crossed ; 

Nor  how  dark  was  the  night  that  the  Lord 

passed  through  i 

Ere  He  found  His  sheep  that  was  lost.  ! 

Out  in  the  desert  He  heard  its  cry —  \ 

&ek  and  helpless,  and  ready  to  die.  | 


'•Lord,  whence  are  those  blood-drops  all 
the  way 

That  mark  out  the  mountain's  track  ? " 
''They  were  shed  for  one  who  had  gone 
j  'astray 

Ere  the  Shepherd  could  bring  him  back." 
"  Lord,  whence  are  Thy  hands  so  rent  and 
I  torn?"  [thorn." 
I  "They  are  pierced  to-night  by  many  a 

I  5. 
But  all  thro'  the  moimtains,  thimder-riven, 

And  up  from  the  rocky  steep, 
Tliere  rose  a  cry  to  the  gate  of  heaTen, 

'•  Rejoice  !  I  have  found  my  sheep  !  " 
Aud  the  an$:Bls  echoed  around  the  throne, 
"Rejoice,  for  the  Lord  brings  back  Hi* 
own ! 


